Pseudodipeptides as mmp inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to compounds, in particular MMP inhibitors. The compounds of the invention have formula (1). The invention can be used in particular in the pharmaceutical field. The present invention also relates to labeled compounds of formula (2), and to the use thereof as contrast agents for detecting extracellular matrix metalloproteinases.

The invention relates to pseudodipeptide derivatives and to uses thereof in particular as inhibitors of metalloproteinases belonging to the family of zinc metalloproteinases, extracellular matrix metalloproteinases or MMPs, and also to labeled pseudopeptides derivatives and to uses thereof as contrast agents for detecting MMPs in active form.

It also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising these derivatives.

In humans, extracellular matrix metalloproteinases or MMPs represent a family of 23 members. All these members are very close from a structural point of view and are collectively capable of hydrolyzing all the protein components of the extracellular matrix (Brinckerhoff et al, 2002 Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol (1)).

Thus, this proteinase family has been implicated in all processes requiring tissue remodeling and associated cell movements (Page-McCaw et al, 2007 Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol (2)), which are the common characteristics observed in many human diseases such as cancer.

However, in the last ten years, the spectrum of proteins which can be hydrolyzed by MMPs has become much broader.

In fact, it now appears that these proteinases can also hydrolyze proteins which do no belong to the extracellular matrix, such as chemokines or cytokines, but also certain growth factor receptors, to mention but a few (Egeblad et al 2002 Nat Rev cancer (3)).

This broad spectrum of activities has led to MMPs being considered as therapeutic targets in a vast range of human pathological conditions (Fingleton et al., 2007 Curr Pharm Des (4), and Hu et al. 2007 Nat Drug Dis (5)).

In the past, MMP inhibitors have mainly been evaluated in the treatment of cancer diseases (Overall et al., 2002 Nat Rev Cancer (6)).

However, these clinical trials have been disappointing, mainly because the inhibitors selected for this application were nonselective with respect to MMPs, i.e. they could block all MMPs with the same efficacy.

As it happens, at the current time, the therapeutic applications for MMP inhibitors are mainly centered on compounds which have a high selectivity profile, i.e. inhibitors capable of blocking only some MMPs or even better still just one MMP.

These inhibitors are called highly selective MMP inhibitors.

In particular, powerful and selective inhibitors of MMP-12 have been sought since this MMP is considered to be involved in numerous inflammatory diseases, in particular chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

MMP-12 is also found to be implicated in human pathological conditions such as arthritis, rhumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and ruptured aneurysms.

Furthermore, an increase in MMP-12 expression in several human cancers has also been reported, suggesting a possible therapeutic application for MMP-12 inhibitors in certain cancers.

MMP-12 is also called “macrophage elastase”.

Compounds which have a relatively good selectivity profile in favor of MMP-12 have been described, in particular in international application WO 2008/057254.

The chemical structure of these compounds is characterized by the presence of an alkyl carboxylate group, the function of which is to interact with the zinc atom present in the active site of all MMPs.

One of the compounds described has the following structure:

Devel et al. have reported the first example of a very powerful and very selective inhibitor of MMP-12, in J. Biol. Chem. 2006 (7).

This compound has the following formula:

This compound, referred to hereinafter as RXP470, has an inhibition constant Ki value of 0.4 nM for human MMP-12 and is two to three orders of magnitude less powerful toward MMPs 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 and 14.

Once again, the chemical structure of this inhibitor is characterized by the presence of a group, in this case a phosphoryl group, the function of which is to interact with the zinc atom of the active sites of the MMPs.

However, the presence of the negatively charged phosphoryl group (PO₂ ⁻) in inhibitors of this type limits their crossing of the intestinal barrier and therefore prevents oral administration thereof.

MMP inhibitors, and in particular MMP-12 inhibitors, have therefore been sought which do not incorporate into their structures chemical groups capable of interacting with the zinc atom of the active site of MMPs.

The most encouraging results have been obtained for MMP-13 with compounds which have the following formula:

This new family of inhibitors exploits the ability of these compounds to induce, when they bind to the active site of MMP-13, a conformational change in the deep cavity S_(1′) located in the active site of MMP-13.

However, as discussed by the authors (Engel et al. 2005 Chem Biol (8)), only the S_(1′) cavity of MMP-13 has this ability to change conformation following the binding of certain inhibitors, a property which explains the very high selectivity of these inhibitors for MMP-13, said inhibitors interacting only weakly with MMP-12.

Thus, there is in the prior art a need for MMP inhibitors, and in particular MMP-12 inhibitors, which do not comprise a zinc-binding group.

As it happens, it has been discovered that, surprisingly, compounds derived from RXP470, but not incorporating a substituted phosphoryl group, have an inhibitory activity with respect to MMPs, and in particular with respect to MMP-12.

Furthermore, after modification and optimization of their chemical structures, some of these compounds are powerful and selective inhibitors of MMP-12.

Thus, the invention proposes compounds of formula (1) below:

in which:

-   -   n is 1 or 2,     -   when n=1, W and X, independently of one another, are O, N or C,     -   when n=2, W and X are C,     -   R₁ is chosen from an iodine atom or a phenyl, biphenyl,         3′-chlorobiphenyl, phenoxy, phenoxymethyl, phenylethynyl,         pyrimidine, 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole, 5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole,         1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1H-pyrrole, thiazole, thiophene,         3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole, 3-aminophenyl, 3-hydroxyphenyl,         3-nitrophenyl, 3-carboxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl,         3,5-dichlorophenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl or 3-hydroxymethylphenyl         group, or a thiophene ring substituted in positions,         independently of one another, 2 and/or 3 and/or 4, with a group         chosen from a methyl, phenyl or 3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole         group or a hydrogen atom,     -   m is an integer between 1 and 4 inclusive, and     -   when m=1, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group or a 4-hydroxyphenyl         group or a 1H-imidazole group or a hydroxyl group or an         isopropyl group or a methyl group,     -   when m=2, R₂ is a carboxylic acid or carboxamide group,     -   when m=3, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group,     -   when m=4, R₂ is an amino group,     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group, a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, and preferably R₄ is         H, and the diastereoisomers and enantiomers thereof.

In a first embodiment, the compounds of the invention are characterized in that, in formula (1), W is O, X is N, and n=1, forming a ring A which is an isoxazole ring, and in that they have the following formula (1-A):

in which:

-   -   R₁ is a phenyl, biphenyl or 3′-chlorobiphenyl group,     -   m is an integer between 1 and 3 inclusive,     -   R₂ is a carboxylic acid group when m is 1 or 3, or when m is 2,         a carboxylic acid group or a carboxamide group,     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-A) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, and the         diastereoisomers and enantiomers thereof.

In this first embodiment, the compounds of the invention are preferably chosen from the compounds having the following formulae (3) to (23):

In a second embodiment, the compounds of the invention are characterized in that, in formula (1):

-   -   n=1,     -   W is N,     -   X is O,     -   R₁ is a phenyl, biphenyl or 3′-chlorobiphenyl group,     -   m=1, 2 or 3     -   when m=1 or 3, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group, and when m is 2,         R₂ is a carboxylic acid or carboxamide group,     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration. a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, and in that they have         the following formula (1-B):

and the diastereoisomers and enantiomers thereof.

In this second embodiment, the preferred compound of the invention has the following formula (25):

In a third embodiment, the compounds of the invention are characterized in that, in formula (1), W and X are C and n=2, thus forming a ring A which is a benzene ring, and in that they have the following formula (1-C):

in which:

-   -   R₁ is chosen from an iodine atom or a phenyl, biphenyl,         3′-chlorobiphenyl, phenoxy, phenoxymethyl, phenylethynyl,         pyrimidine, 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole, 5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole,         1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1H-pyrrole, thiazole, thiophene and         3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole group,     -   m=2, and     -   R₂ is a carboxylic acid group, and     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-C) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, and the         diastereoisomers thereof.

In these compounds, the asymmetric carbon is of (S) configuration.

In this third embodiment, the compounds of the invention are preferably chosen from the compounds having the following formulae (28) to (39):

In a fourth embodiment, the compounds of the invention are characterized in that, in formula (1), W and X are C and n=2, thus forming a ring A which is a benzene ring, and in that they have the following formula (1-D):

in which:

-   -   R₁ is:     -   either an unsubstituted phenyl group (R_(1′)=H and R_(1″)═H),     -   or a phenyl group monosubstituted in position 3 with an amino         group (R_(1′)═NH₂, R_(1″)═H) or with a hydroxyl group         (R_(1′)═OH, R_(1″)═H) or with a nitro group (R_(1′)═NO₂,         R_(1″)═H) or with a carboxyl group (R_(1′)═COOH, R_(1″)═H) or         with a chlorine atom (R_(1′)=Cl, R_(1″)═H) or with a methoxy         group (R_(1′)═OMe, R_(1″)═H) or with a hydroxymethyl group         (R_(1′)═CH₂OH, R_(1″)═H),     -   or a phenyl group disubstituted in positions 3 and 5 with a         chlorine atom (R_(1′)=Cl and R_(1″)═Cl),     -   m=2,     -   R₂ is a carboxylic acid group, and     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-D) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, and the         diastereoisomers thereof.

In this fourth embodiment, the compounds of the invention are preferably chosen from the compounds having the following formulae (40) and (42) to (60):

In a fifth embodiment, the compounds of the invention are characterized in that, in formula (1), W and X are C, n=2 and R₁ is a biphenyl group, and in that they correspond to the following formula (1-E):

in which:

-   -   m=1, 2, 3 or 4,     -   when m=1, R₂ is a carboxylic acid, 4-hydroxyphenyl or         1H-imidazole or hydroxyl group or an isopropyl or methyl,     -   when m=2, R₂ is a carboxylic acid or carboxamide group,     -   when m=3, R₂ is a carboxlylic acid group,     -   when m=4, R₂ is an amino group,     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-E) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, and the         diastereoisomers and enantiomers thereof.

In this fifth embodiment, the preferred compounds of the invention are chosen from the compounds having the following formulae (61) to (79):

In a sixth embodiment, the compounds of the invention are characterized in that, in formula (1), W and X are C and n=2, forming a ring A which is a benzene ring, and R₁ is a thiophene ring substituted with an R_(1′″) group, and in that they have the following formula (1-F):

-   -   R₁ is:     -   either an unsubstituted thiophene ring (R₁′″═H),     -   or a thiophene ring monosubstituted in position 2 with a group         chosen from a methyl (R_(1′″)═CH₃), phenyl (R_(1′″)=Ph) or         3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole group,     -   or a thiophene ring monosubstituted in position 3 with a group         chosen from a methyl (R_(1′″) . . . ═CH₃) or phenyl (R_(1′″)=Ph)         group,     -   or a thiophene ring monosubstituted in position 4 with a methyl         group (R_(1′″) . . . ═CH₃),     -   m=1, 2 or 3, and     -   R₂ is a carboxylic acid or imidazole group when m=1, or a         carboxylic acid or carboxamide group when m=2, or a carboxylic         acid group when m=3,     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-F) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, and the         diastereoisomers and enantiomers thereof.

In this sixth embodiment, the compounds of the invention are preferably chosen from the compounds having the following formulae (80) to (107):

In this sixth embodiment, the most preferred compounds of the invention are chosen from the compounds of formula (1-F) in which the ring R₁ is a thiophene ring monosubstituted either in position 2 with a methyl or phenyl group, or in position 3 with a phenyl group.

These compounds have the following formula (1-F1):

in which:

-   -   R_(1′″) is either in position 2 or in position 3 of the         thiophene ring and is chosen from a methyl (R_(1′″)═CH₃) or         phenyl (R_(1′″) . . . =Ph) group, and     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-F1) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, and the         diastereoisomers thereof.

The preferred compounds of formula (1-F1) are the compounds having the following formulae (91), (92), (95), (97), (99), (101), (103), (105), (106) and (95 bis):

However, the most preferred compounds of the invention are the compounds of formula (1-F2) in which R₁ is a thiophene ring monosubstituted in position 3 with a phenyl ring, and which correspond to the following formula (1-F2):

in which:

-   -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-F2) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, and in particular the         compounds having the following formulae (95), (97), (99), (101),         (103), (105), (106) and (95 bis):

and the diastereosimers thereof.

The invention also proposes the compounds of the invention and the enantiomers and diastereoisomers thereof, for use as a medicament.

The invention further proposes the compounds of the invention and the enantiomers and diastereoisomers thereof, for use as extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors.

More particularly, the invention proposes the compounds of formulae (91), (92), (95), (97), (99), (101), (103), (105), (106) and (95 bis), for use as extracellular matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP-12) inhibitors, and more particularly the compounds (95), (97), (99), (101), (103), (105), (106) and (95 bis).

The invention additionally proposes a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one of the compounds of the invention or an enantiomer or diastereoisomer thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Finally, the invention proposes the compounds of the invention and the enantiomers and diastereoisomers thereof, for use as a medicament for treating cancer, inflammatory diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, rhumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and a ruptured aneurysm.

The invention will be understood more clearly, and other characteristics and advantages thereof will emerge more clearly, on reading the description which follows.

The compounds of the invention have the following general formula (1):

in which:

-   -   n is 1 or 2,     -   when n=1, W and X, independently of one another, are O, N or C,     -   when n=2, W and X are C,     -   R₁ is chosen from an iodine atom or a phenyl, biphenyl,         3′-chlorobiphenyl, phenoxy, phenoxymethyl, phenylethynyl,         pyrimidine, 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole, 5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole,         1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1H-pyrrole, thiazole, thiophene,         3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole, 3-aminophenyl, 3-hydroxyphenyl,         3-nitrophenyl, 3-carboxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl,         3,5-dichlorophenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl or 3-hydroxymethylphenyl         group, or a thiophene ring substituted in positions,         independently of one another, 2 and/or 3 and/or 4, with a group         chosen from a methyl, phenyl or 3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole         group or a hydrogen atom,     -   m is an integer between 1 and 4 inclusive, and     -   when m=1, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group or a 4-hydroxyphenyl         group, or a 1H-imidazole group or a hydroxyl group or an         isopropyl group or a methyl group,     -   when m=2, R₂ is a carboxylic acid or carboxamide group,     -   when m=3, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group,     -   when m=4, R₂ is an amino group,     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is 1-1 or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, and preferably R₄         is H.

More specifically, when R₂ is a carboxylic acid group, i.e. a —COOH group, which is possible when m=1, 2 or 3, the R₂ group may be in the (S) configuration or (R) configuration when m is 2.

Likewise, when R₃ is a glutamate residue, this residue may be in the L or D configuration.

When the R₄ group is a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, the asymmetric carbon (C*) carrying the R₄ group may be in the (S) configuration or (R) configuration, and preferably in the (S) configuration.

Thus, the diastereoisomers and enantiomers of the compounds of formula (1) above are also a subject of the invention.

Depending on the nature of the ring A, in formula (1), various families are defined.

In the first family, the ring A is an isoxazole ring, i.e. W is O, X is N, and n=1 and m is 1, 2 or 3.

The compounds belonging to this first family are the compounds having the following formula (1-A):

in which:

-   -   R₁ is a phenyl, biphenyl or 3′-chlorobiphenyl group,     -   m is an integer between 1 and 3 inclusive,     -   R₂ is a carboxylic acid group when m is 1 or 3, or when m is 2,         a carboxylic acid group or a carboxamide group,     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxyl functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-A) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, and the         diastereoisomers and enantiomers thereof.

It is noted that, in this first family:

-   -   when m=1, 2 or 3 and R₂ is a COOH group (carboxylic acid) group,         R₂ forms, with the NH group and the C(═O)—R₃ group to which it         is bonded, respectively an aspartate, glutamate and         homoglutamate residue,     -   when m=2 and R₂ is a carboxamide group, R₂ forms, with the NH         group and the C(═O)—R₃ group to which it is bonded, a glutamine         residue,     -   when m=1 and R₂ is a 4-hydroxyphenyl or 1H-imidazole or hydroxyl         or isopropyl or methyl group, R₂ forms, with the NH group and         the C(═O)—R₃ group to which it is bonded, respectively a         tyrosine, histidine, serine, leucine or alanine residue,     -   when m=4 and R₂ is an amino group, R₂ forms, with the NH group         and the C(═O)—R₃ group to which it is bonded, a lysine residue.

The preferred compounds of this first family are the compounds having the following formulae (3) to (23):

The inhibition constant Ki of these compounds has been determined according to the protocol described by Devel et al, 2006, J. Biol. Chem. (7).

The Ki values obtained are reported in table I.

It will be recalled that, the lower the Ki of a compound, the higher the inhibitory potential of said compound with respect to the target selected.

Compound (3) of this first subfamily corresponds to RXP470 having undergone removal of the substituted phosphinic group (R—PO₂—CH₂).

When comparing the Ki of compound (3) and that of the RXP470 compound (which is also reported in table I), it is noted that the selectivity of compound (3) with respect to the various MMPs is lower than that of the RXP470 compound; compound (3) is in fact quite a powerful inhibitor of MMPs 2, 3, 10, 12 and 13.

It is also noted that the inhibitory potential of compound (3) remains quite high with respect to MMP-12. This compound (3) therefore belongs to a new family of compounds which, after optimization of their chemical structure, would make it possible to gain access to selective inhibitors of MMP-12.

Thus, surprisingly, by removing the phosphinic part in the RXP470 compound and by varying the nature of the substituents R₁, R₂ and R₃, and also their various L or D or (S) or (R) configurations, MMP-12 inhibitors are obtained.

Even further, certain compounds of this series have comparable inhibitory powers toward three MMPs, MMP-10, MMP-12 and MMP-13, making these inhibitors active ingredients that can be used for the production of a medicament for treating pathological conditions in which these MMPs are overexpressed.

The second family of compounds of the invention is that in which the ring A is an isoxazole heterocycle where W is N, X is O and n is equal to 1.

These compounds have the following formula (1-B):

in which:

-   -   n=1,     -   W is N,     -   X is O,     -   R₁ is a phenyl, biphenyl or 3′-chlorobiphenyl group,     -   m is an integer between 1 and 3 inclusive,     -   when m is 1 or 3, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group, and when m is         2, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group or a carboxamide group,     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-B) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH.

The diastereoisomers and enantiomers of the compounds of this second family are also part of the invention.

The preferred compound of this second family of compounds of the invention is the compound having the following formula (25):

The compounds having the following formulae (24), (26) and (27) have also been synthesized:

In these compounds, the nature of the heteroatoms and the number thereof in the ring A, which is, as in the compound of formula (25), a 5-atom ring substituted in position 3 with a phenyl group, have been varied.

The Ki values of these compounds have been determined and are reported in table I.

It is seen from table I that the compounds of formulae (24), (26) and (27) do not have any inhibitory activity, whereas the compounds of the first family and that of formula (25) are MMP inhibitors.

This shows that the nature of the ring A plays a role in the inhibitory power toward MMPs.

Other compounds in which the ring A is a benzene ring have thus been synthesized.

Thus, in the third family of compounds of formula (1), the ring A is a benzene ring, i.e. W and X are C and n=2.

Furthermore, in these compounds, m=2.

These compounds have the following general formula (1-C):

in which:

-   -   R₁ is chosen from an iodine atom or a phenyl, biphenyl,         3′-chlorobiphenyl, phenoxy, phenoxymethyl, phenylethynyl,         pyrimidine, 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole, 5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole,         1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1H-pyrrole, thiazole, thiophene or         3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole group,     -   m=2,     -   R₂ is a carboxylic acid group, and     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂ and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-C) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH.

The diastereoisomers of these compounds are also part of the invention.

The preferred compounds of this third family have the following formulae (28) to (39):

The Ki values of these compounds have been determined and are reported in table I.

From the Ki values of these compounds, it is noted that, in certain cases, the inhibition constants are improved when the ring A is a phenyl ring.

Compounds in which the ring A is a phenyl ring, which is optionally itself substituted, have thus been synthesized.

The fourth subfamily of compounds of formula (1) of the invention is characterized by the presence of a ring A which is a benzene ring, i.e., in the ring A, W and X are C and n=2, and in that the R₁ group is a phenyl group, which is itself optionally substituted.

These compounds have the following general formula (1-D):

in which:

-   -   R₁ is:     -   either an unsubstituted phenyl group (R_(1′)═H and R_(1″)═H),     -   or a phenyl group monosubstituted in position 3 with an amino         group (R_(1′)═NH₂, R_(1″)═H) or with a hydroxyl group         (R_(1′)═OH, R_(1″)═H) or with a nitro group (R_(1′)═NO₂,         R_(1″)═H) or with a carboxyl group (R_(1′)═COOH, R_(1″)═H) or         with a chlorine atom (R_(1′)=Cl, R_(1″)═H) or with a methoxy         group (R_(1′)═OMe, R_(1″)═H) or with a hydroxymethyl group         (R_(1′)═CH₂OH, R_(1″)═H),     -   or a phenyl group disubstituted in positions 3 and 5 with a         chlorine atom (R_(1′)=Cl and R_(1″)=Cl),     -   m=2,     -   R₂ is a carboxylic acid group, and     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-D) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH.

The diastereoisomers of these groups are also part of the invention.

In these compounds, the asymmetric carbon (C*) carrying the —CH₂—CH₂—R₂ group is of the (S) configuration.

The preferred compounds of this fourth family have the following formulae (40) and (42) to (60):

The Ki values of these compounds have been measured and are reported in table I.

It is seen from table I that these compounds exhibit improved selectivity with respect to MMP-12 or with respect to MMPs 2 and 12 or with respect to MMPs 3 and 12.

These compounds can therefore advantageously be used as a medicament for treating diseases in which these MMPs are overexpressed.

The fifth family of compounds of the invention is the family of compounds in which the ring A is a phenyl ring substituted with a biphenyl group, the substituents R₂, R₃ and R₄ being variable.

These compounds have the following formula (1-E):

in which:

-   -   m is 1, 2, 3 or 4,     -   when m=4, R₂ is an amino group,     -   when m=1 or 2 or 3, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group,     -   when m=2, R₂ is a carboxamide group,     -   when m=1, R₂ is a 4-hydroxyphenyl group or a 1H-imidazole or         hydroxyl or isopropyl or methyl,     -   R₃ is chosen from a glutamate group of L or D configuration, a         homoglutamate group, an aspartate group, a glutamine group. an         alanine group, a lysine group, a tyrosine group, a histidine         group, a serine group or a leucine group, it being possible for         the terminal carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be         carboxamide functions —C(═O)NH₂, or a carboxymethylpiperidine         group, a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group or an amino group,         said R₃ group being bonded to the carbonyl group of formula         (1-E) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH.

The diastereoisomers and enantiomers of these compounds are also part of the invention.

The preferred compounds of this family are the compounds having the following formulae (61) to (79):

As indicated by the Ki values of these compounds, reported in table I, these compounds behave essentially as powerful inhibitors of MMP-12 and MMP-13. This series of compounds therefore has applications as an active ingredient for the production of a medicament for treating pathological conditions in which MMP-12 and MMP-13 are overexpressed.

However, when examining the Ki values of the compounds belonging to the third family (1C), but also those of the compounds belonging to the fourth family (1D) and to the fifth family (1E) of the invention, it is noted that the power and the selectivity of the compounds with respect to MMP-12 are improved not only when the ring A is a phenyl ring, but also when said ring is substituted with a thiophene heterocycle.

Compounds of formula (1) in which the ring A is a benzene ring, i.e. W and X are C and n=2, and in which R₁ is an unsubstituted or substituted thiophene ring, have therefore been synthesized.

These compounds have the following formula (1-F):

in which:

-   -   R₁ is:     -   either an unsubstituted thiophene ring (R_(1′″)═H),     -   or a thiophene ring monosubstituted in position 2 with a group         chosen from a methyl (R_(1′″)═CH₃), phenyl (R_(1′″)=Ph) or         3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole group,     -   or a thiophene ring monosubstituted in position 3 with a group         chosen from a methyl (R_(1′″)═CH₃) or phenyl (R_(1′″)=Ph) group,     -   or a thiophene ring monosubstituted in position 4 with a methyl         group (R_(1′″)═CH₃),     -   m=1, 2 or 3, and     -   R₂ is a carboxylic acid group or an imidazole group when m=1, or         a carboxylic acid group or a carboxamide group when m=2, or a         carboxylic acid group when m=3,     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-F) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH.

The diastereoisomers and enantiomers of these compounds are also part of the invention.

The preferred compounds of this family are the compounds having the following formulae (80) to (107):

The inhibition constants of these compounds have been determined and are reported in table I.

It is seen from table I that these compounds have a high inhibitory power toward MMP-12 and MMP-8.

Thus, these compounds can be advantageously used for the production of medicaments for treating pathological conditions in which MMP-12 and MMP-8 are overexpressed.

However, it is especially noted, from table I, that the compounds having formula (1-F) in which the thiophene ring is substituted either in position 2 or in position 3 with a methyl (R_(1′″)═CH₃) or phenyl (R_(1″″)=Ph) group are among the most powerful and most selective inhibitors of MMP-12.

Consequently, the most preferred compounds of the invention are the compounds having the following formula (1-F1):

in which:

-   -   R_(1′″) is either in position 2 or in position 3 of the         thiophene ring and is chosen from a methyl (R_(1′″)═CH₃) or         phenyl (R_(1′″)=Ph) group, and     -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-F1) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH.

The diastereoisomers of these compounds are also a subject of the invention.

Among the compounds of formula (1-F1), the compounds having the following formulae (91), (92), (95), (97), (99), (101), (103), (105), (106) and (95 bis) are preferred:

However, among these compounds of formula (1-F1), it is seen from table I that the compounds having formula (1-F1) in which R_(1′″) is in position 3 of the thiophene ring and is a phenyl group (R_(1′″)=Ph) are the most powerful and most selective inhibitors with respect to MMP-12.

These compounds have the following formula (1-F2):

in which:

-   -   R₃ is chosen from an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine         group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; a glutamate residue         of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate         residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine         residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine         residue or a leucine residue, it being possible for the terminal         carboxylic functions of said amino acids to be carboxamide         functions —C(═O)NH₂, and said R₃ group being bonded to the         carbonyl group of formula (1-F2) via an amino function, and     -   R₄ is II or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH.

Thus, the quite particularly preferred compounds of the invention of formula 1-F2 are the compounds having the following formulae (95), (97), (99), (101), (103), (105), (106) and (95 bis):

TABLE I Ki (nM) MMP-2h MMP-3h MMP-8h MMP-9h MMP-10h MMP-12h MMP-13h MMP-14h RXP470 72 58 77 850 8.3 0.2 13 80 3 76 62 181 565 47 8.3 40 >1000 4 90 118 119 120 122 11.8 46 >1000 5 112 240 552 >1000 44 8.9 53 >1000 6 403 >1000 >5000 >5000 489 401 235 >10000 7 538 897 >1000 >5000 111 268 114 >10000 8 112 243 556 >1000 35 11 30 >1000 9 91 381 899 >1000 520 64 35 >5000 10 86 85 649 >1000 93 59 18 >1000 11 >1000 302 >1000 >10000 556 254 191 >10000 12 150 129 452 >1000 51 8.2 52 >5000 13 >1000 575 638 605 >5000 348 91 553 14 756 >10000 112 >1000 >1000 119 >1000 >1000 15 762 >10000 114 >1000 >5000 398 >1000 >1000 16 83 78 383 >1000 114 3.4 60 >1000 17 65 699 >1000 >1000 >1000 53 36 >5000 18 93 440 832 >1000 196 8 30 >1000 19 52 750 >1000 >1000 527 54 24 >1000 20 834 >1000 >1000 >1000 >5000 412 234 >10000 21 39.3 105 261 >1000 256 5.4 49 >1000 22 >1000 >10000 >1000 >1000 >10000 830 436 >10000 23 78 460 351 >1000 276 11.2 80 >1000 24 >5000 >1000 >1000 >1000 >1000 >1000 >5000 >5000 25 >1000 >5000 332 >5000 >1000 160 550 >1000 26 >5000 >5000 >5000 >1000 >5000 >1000 >1000 >5000 27 >1000 >1000 >1000 >5000 >5000 >5000 900 >5000 28 >1000 >5000 >1000 >10000 >1000 856 309 >1000 29 >1000 >10000 >1000 >1000 >1000 469 117 >5000 30 >1000 >1000 818 235 >1000 154 598 >1000 31 >1000 >5000 839 >1000 >1000 155 >1000 >1000 32 >5000 >1000 >1000 >1000 >5000 969 641 >1000 33 >1000 >10000 >1000 >1000 >10000 797 518 >1000 34 >5000 >1000 >1000 >5000 >1000 887 >1000 >1000 35 442 281 231 199 679 158 212 438 36 >1000 >1000 373 >1000 >1000 59 >1000 >5000 37 657 >5000 >1000 >1000 >1000 369 240 >1000 38 225 337 52 141 446 12 532 410 39 151 88 146 618 99 2.2 134 547 40 445 >5000 226 >1000 >1000 18.6 689 >5000 42 448 >5000 285 >1000 >1000 48 884 >1000 43 319 >1000 657 >1000 >5000 306 259 >5000 44 >1000 >10000 414 >5000 >5000 119 >1000 >5000 45 896 >5000 233 >1000 >1000 37 >1000 >5000 46 632 >10000 270 >1000 >1000 52 >1000 >5000 47 >1000 >10000 311 >1000 >1000 58 >1000 >5000 48 847 >10000 339 >5000 >1000 75 >1000 >10000 49 790 >5000 204 >1000 >1000 41 >1000 >1000 50 >1000 >50000 364 >5000 >5000 76 >1000 >5000 51 >1000 >10000 929 >1000 >10000 259 >1000 >5000 52 546 >5000 63 >1000 433 12.7 >1000 >1000 53 >1000 >1000 >1000 >1000 >1000 190 >1000 >1000 54 >10000 >10000 >1000 >1000 >1000 176 >10000 >10000 55 >1000 878 >1000 685 >1000 73 436 >5000 56 >5000 >10000 >1000 >1000 >10000 91 >5000 >10000 57 >1000 >10000 >1000 >1000 >5000 57 >5000 >10000 58 >1000 >1000 >5000 391 >1000 56 >1000 >1000 59 >5000 >10000 >1000 >5000 >1000 35 >5000 >10000 60 >5000 >10000 809 >5000 >5000 52 >5000 >10000 61 53 74 132 >1000 76 1.63 20 >1000 62 45 244 452 >1000 102 5.2 20 >1000 63 110 >1000 621 >1000 447 14.3 55 >1000 64 55 168 287 >1000 35 3.3 23 >5000 65 73 620 793 >1000 119 6.6 33 >1000 66 49 238 532 >10000 130 2.2 16.4 >10000 67 68 337 526 >1000 168 10.2 36 >1000 68 31 108 227 >1000 71 3.5 16.6 >1000 69 332 258 567 >1000 382 7.8 81 >5000 70 12 231 105 >5000 421 4.7 17 >1000 71 18.1 34 99 645 7.7 1.05 10.2 696 72 386 64 >1000 >5000 >1000 134 180 >5000 73 541 300 >1000 >10000 >1000 254 97 >10000 74 39 16 865 >1000 430 10.5 13.5 >1000 75 >1000 252 >5000 >10000 >1000 122 232 >10000 76 854 142 >1000 >5000 >10000 251 427 >5000 77 >1000 >1000 >1000 >50000 >5000 234 377 >10000 78 729 116 >1000 >5000 >5000 206 367 >1000 79 >1000 203 >1000 >100000 >1000 >1000 443 >10000 80 142 >1000 40 >1000 373 8.6 321 >1000 81 204 >10000 48 >1000 651 18.6 801 >1000 82 234 >10000 73 >1000 >1000 44 >1000 >1000 83 334 >10000 49 >1000 435 14.2 >1000 >1000 84 140 >5000 41 859 514 20.9 584 >1000 85 348 >10000 62 >5000 835 25.6 >1000 >1000 86 371 >10000 63 >1000 >1000 34 >1000 >1000 87 147 >10000 47 >1000 742 16.4 >1000 >1000 88 298 >10000 73 >1000 >1000 32 >1000 >1000 89 484 >100000 94 >1000 >5000 124 >1000 >1000 90 116 >1000 18 284 143 8 366 430 91 97 >1000 10.3 242 353 1.84 564 >1000 92 279 108 381 874 156 2.58 200 >1000 93 >1000 >1000 307 >1000 38.8 17 33 >5000 94 868 >1000 233 >1000 >1000 22 >1000 >10000 95 >1000 >1000 410 >10000 872 1.92 684 >1000 96 >1000 >10000 >10000 >1000 >1000 144 >1000 >10000 97 >1000 >5000 694 >5000 693 3.7 714 >1000 98 >5000 >10000 >10000 >5000 >10000 317 >1000 >10000 99 >1000 >10000 >1000 >5000 >1000 5.4 522 >1000 100 862 >1000 559 >1000 >1000 15.1 559 >1000 101 >1000 >5000 379 >5000 571 2.56 933 >1000 102 >1000 >10000 >5000 >5000 >5000 56 635 >10000 103 >1000 >5000 656 >5000 845 2.9 563 >1000 104 >5000 >10000 >1000 >5000 >5000 40 >1000 >5000 105 377 >1000 203 >1000 >1000 3.65 603 >1000 106 339 791 675 396 318 4.3 132 >1000 107 >1000 >10000 766 >10000 >1000 84 >1000 >5000

In this table I and also in table II below, “h” corresponds to human. All of the compounds have therefore been evaluated on human MMPs.

Moreover, the pseudopeptides of formulae (3), (14), (40), (61), (80), (95), (97), (99), (101), (103), (105), (106) and (95 bis) have also been evaluated on two other MMPs, MMP-1 h and MMP-7h.

The results obtained are given in table II below, and in table IV hereinafter:

TABLE II Ki (nM) MMP-1h MMP-2h MMP-3h MMP-7h MMP-8h MMP-9h MMP-10h MMP-12h MMP-13h MMP-14h 3 >10000 76 62 >1000 181 565 47 8.3 40 >1000 14 >10000 756 >10000 >10000 112 >1000 >1000 119 >1000 >1000 40 >100000 445 >5000 >10000 226 >1000 >1000 18.6 689 >5000 61 >5000 53 74 502 132 >1000 76 1.63 20 >1000 80 >100000 142 >1000 >1000 40 >1000 373 8.6 321 >1000 95 >10000 >1000 >1000 >1000 410 >10000 872 1.92 684 >1000 97 >100000 >1000 >5000 >10000 694 >5000 693 3.7 714 >1000 99 >10000 >1000 >10000 >10000 >1000 >5000 >1000 5.4 522 >1000 101 >100000 >1000 >5000 >100000 379 >5000 571 2.56 933 >1000 103 >10000 >1000 >5000 >5000 656 >5000 845 2.9 563 >1000 105 >10000 377 >1000 >10000 203 >1000 >1000 3.65 603 >1000 106 >1000 339 791 >1000 675 396 318 4.3 132 >1000

The results reported in table II, and also in table IV, confirm firstly that the compounds of the invention are powerful MMP inhibitors, and in particular MMP-12 inhibitors, with Ki values of about one nanomolar, and secondly that the compounds of formulae (95), (97), (99), (101), (103), (105) and (95 bis) are compounds highly selective for MMP-12, with a selectivity factor F>100 with F═Ki MMP-x/Ki MMP-12.

Thus, the compounds of the invention can be used as a medicament, or as MMP inhibitors or else for the production of a medicament for treating disorders in which one or more MMPs are overexpressed.

More particularly, the compounds of the invention of formulae (61) to (79) can be used for the production of a medicament for treating pathological conditions in which MMP-12 and MMP-13 are overexpressed, and the compounds of formulae (80) to (90) can be used for the production of a medicament for treating pathological conditions in which MMP-12 and MMP-8 are overexpressed.

Even further, the compounds of formulae (95), (97), (99), (101), (103), (105), (106) and (95 bis) can be advantageously used as MMP-12 inhibitors and used for the production of a medicament for treating disorders in which MMP-12 is overexpressed, in particular for treating cancer, inflammatory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, rhumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and ruptured aneurysms.

Another subject of the invention relates to compounds of formula (2) below, resulting from labeling of the compounds of formula (1) as defined previously with a label. The compounds of formula (2) correspond to the following formula:

in which n, m, W, X, R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ have the same meaning as above, and:

-   -   L is a spacer arm chosen from C₁-C₁₂ alkyl chains and glycol         ethers in which the carbon-based chain contains from 2 to 12         carbon atoms, and     -   TAG is a label,         the R₃ group being bonded to the spacer arm L via a terminal         carboxamide function —C(═O)NH₂.

The term “label” is intended to mean any entity capable of being detected by appropriate means, the labels used in the context of the invention typically corresponding to the labels used by those skilled in the art in the biology field for labeling molecules of biological interest, in particular in the context of carrying out a diagnosis.

The detectable physical property of the labels of the invention may be a specific reactivity with respect to an electromagnetic source such as a magnetic field, for instance via magnetic resonance imaging, or with respect to light radiation that can be focused, for instance via fluorescence imaging with fluorophores, or else with respect to nuclear radiation, for instance using isotopes.

The fluorophores used in the context of the invention may be aromatic fluorescent compounds of which the ?-? transitions are characterized by high fluorescence quantum yields and molar absorption coefficients, it being possible for said fluorophores to be chosen from rhodamine, fluorescein, pyronine, coumarin, benzophenone, anthrone, fluorenone, pyridine, quinoline, acridine, naphthalene, anthracene, naphthacene, pentacene, xanthene and derivatives thereof.

Various families of labels and various associated detection techniques known to those skilled in the art are described in the handbook Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, 8, 497-522. More specifically, reference may be made to the fluorophores cited in Cytometry Part A 69A: 863-871 (2006) and to the nanoparticles mentioned in the document Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 384: 620-630 (2006).

According to one even more preferred embodiment, the TAG label may be chosen from:

-   -   the fluorophores as defined above, it being possible for the         latter to correspond to one of the following formulae:

-   -   compounds carrying a fluorine 18 (¹⁸F) isotope, such as:

-   -   chelating agents carrying a technetium 99 (99 mTc) isotope, it         being possible for said chelating agents to optionally comprise         from 2 to 6 nitrogen atoms, and preferably 4 nitrogen atoms, and         optionally from 1 to 6 carboxylate functions, and preferably 3         carboxylate functions, such as:

-   -   chelating agents carrying a gadolinium Gd(III) atom, it being         possible for said chelating agents to optionally comprise from 2         to 6 nitrogen atoms, and preferably 4 nitrogen atoms, and         optionally from 1 to 6 carboxylate functions, and preferably 3         carboxylate functions, such as:

-   -   peptide labels such as those defined in international         application WO 2010/076654, the content of which is incorporated         herein by way of reference, selected from the following         sequences:

(SEQ ID No.: 1) X_(a)X₁X₂X₃X₄X₅X_(b)X_(c),

in which:

-   -   X_(a), X_(b) and X_(c) may be present or absent,     -   X_(a) or X_(c), when they are present, comprise at least two         natural or unnatural amino acids,     -   X_(b), when it is present, comprises the peptide sequence         RRMQYNRR (SEQ ID No.: 2) in which at least one of the residues         is replaced with a natural or unnatural amino acid in which the         side chain present in the initial residue that it replaces is         absent,     -   X₁ consists of any natural or unnatural amino acid comprising an         OH group on its side chain,     -   X₂ consists of any amino acid with the exception of cysteine,     -   X₃ consists of an amino acid chosen from: arginine, glycine and         lysine,     -   X₄ consists of at least one amino acid chosen from: alanine,         glycine, lysine and arginine,     -   X₅ consists of any amino acid with the exception of cysteine;

b) the retro-inverso version of a peptide label as defined according to group a).

The nature of the spacer arm L separating the TAG label from the inhibitory part interacting with the MMP active site depends on the initial functionalization of the solid support used. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacer arm L of the compounds of formula (2) is a C₁-C₂ alkyl chain or a polyethoxylated chain —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)- in which n is between 1 and 6.

Thus, the compounds of formula (2) can be used as contrast agents for detecting MMPs, and more particularly for detecting MMP-12. The compounds of formula (2) can in particular be used for noninvasive imaging of atheroma plaque (F. A. Jaffer et al., Arterioscler Thromb Vase. Biol. 2009, (10)).

Depending on the nature of the TAG label, various imaging techniques can be envisioned among PET (Positron Emission Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or NIRF (Near-Infrared Fluorescence imaging).

In order to explain the invention more clearly, several embodiments thereof will now be described.

The compounds of the invention were synthesized as described hereinafter.

Materials and Methods:

All the commercially available reagents and solvents were used as received, without additional purification.

The Synphase lanterns (polyamide, lantern series D, Rink amide protected with the Fmoc group, 8 μmol/lantern or polyamide, lantern series D, hydroxymethylphenoxy, 8 μmol/lantern), are sold by Mimotopes (Australia).

The natural amino acids protected with the Fmoc group come from Novabiochem.

The homoglutamate protected with the Fmoc group is sold by Bachem.

The Fmoc-3-aminophenylacetic acid and (S)-Fmoc-(3-carboxymethyl)piperidine are sold by the company NeoMPS.

The 6-chloro-1-hydroxybenzotriazole (ClHOBt) is sold by the company Molekula.

The diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), the trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and the triisopropylsilane (TIS) are sold by the company Aldrich.

The anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is sold by the company Fluka.

The microwave experiments were performed on an apparatus of Discover type (CEM μWave) in sealed 10 ml reaction tubes or using the open container mode with the SPS kit.

The thin layer chromatography (TLC) plates were aluminum sheets of thin layers coated with a 60F₂₅₄ silica gel, sold by the company Merck.

The precursor malonic blocks were purified by flash chromatography on silica gel Si 60, 40-43 μm.

The ¹H NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker instrument at 250 MHz.

The chemical shifts are reported in ppm with the solvent as internal standard (CDCl₃: 7.26 ppm; MeOH d₄=3.31 ppm; DMSO d₆=2.50 ppm).

The data are reported as follows: chemical shift, multiplilcity (s=singlet, d=doublet, t=triplet, q=quartet, br=broad, m multiplet), integration and coupling constants (Hz).

The ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded on NMR instruments at 125 MHz with complete proton decoupling.

The chemical shifts are reported in ppm with the solvent as internal standard (CDCl₃: 77.16 ppm; MeOH d₄=49.00 ppm; DMSO d₆=39.52 ppm).

The optical density (OD) measurements were carried out with a Beckman DU640B spectrophotometre.

The electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESMS) were recorded on an ESI-QTRAP mass spectrometry platform (Applied Biosystems-MDS Sciex, University Pierre and Marie Curie (UPMC), Paris, France).

The high resolution mass spectra (HRMS) were recorded using a MALDI-TOF 4800 mass spectrometre (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, USA) in positive reflectron mode in the m/z range of 100-700.

Each spectrum was the result of from 1000 to 2000 shots (20 different positions inside each spot and 50 shots per subspectrum) and an internal calibration was carried out using a 4-HCCA (cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) matrix m/z.

The analytical and preparative RP-HPLC separations were carried out, respectively, on a Thermo separation apparatus and a Gilson apparatus using either an Ascentis Express analytical column (100×4.6 mm, 10μ, 100 Å) or a Kromasil AIT C18 semi-preparative column (250×20 mm, 10μ, 100 Å) with flow rates of 1.8 and 3 mL.min⁻¹, respectively.

The detection was carried out at 230 nm.

A solvent system consisting of (A) 0.1% TFA in 90% water-10% acetonitrile, and (B) 0.09% TFA in 90% acetonitrile-10% water, was used. The retention times (t_(R)) obtained in the analytical mode (Ascentis Express column) are reported in minutes.

The amino acid composition of each pseudopeptide was determined under standard conditions: each sample is evaporated under vacuum and hydrolyzed in a sealed tube under 6 N hydrochloric acid vapor in the presence of a phenol crystal, for 17 h at 110° C. using the “PicoTag” system (Waters Associates, Milford, Mass.). The hydrolysate is then dissolved in 100 μl of MilliQ water, and 90 μl of this solution (containing a minimum of 200 μmol of each amino acid) are analyzed and quantified by ninhydrin derivatization on an “aminoTac JLC-500/V amino acids analyzer” apparatus (JEOL, Japan). A standard calibration in the presence of a solution of amino acids of which the concentration is known is carried out before each analysis.

Compounds (3) to (107) were synthesized according to the following general scheme 1:

Synthesis of Precursor Malonic Blocks

The precursor malonic blocks are synthesized according to the following scheme 2:

STEP 1 Alkylation Step

In a 10 ml microwave reaction vessel, the sodium derivative of the triethyl ester of methane tricarboxylic acid (3.9 mmol, 1 eq), a derivative of alkyl halide type (4.3 mmol, 1.1 eq) and anhydrous DMF (5 ml) were mixed and stirred at 100° C. under microwave irradiation (300 W) for 5 minutes.

The end of the reaction was verified by thin layer chromatography (TLC) with an eluent mixture (cyclohexane CHX/ethyl acetate EtOAc: 9/1).

The reaction mixture was then evaporated under reduced pressure and the crude solution was suspended in ethyl acetate EtOAc/water H₂O (1/1:10 ml/10 ml).

The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate EtOAc (2×10 ml). The organic phases were combined and then washed with a saturated solution of sodium chloride NaCl (20 ml) and, finally, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄).

The solvent was then concentrated under vacuum and the crude product was purified by flash chromatography (CHX/EtOAc), to give the triesters 1a-o. Triethyl but-3-yne-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1a

Prepared from propargyl bromide (Fluka 81831, 80% in toluene) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a light yellow oil (yield 88%).

¹ H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.29 (t, 9H, J=71-1z); 2.05 (t, 1H, J=2.75 Hz); 3.01 (d, 2H, J=2.751-1z); 4.29 (q, 6H, J=7 Hz).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 14.00; 23.41; 62.70; 64.68; 70.88; 78.87; 165.90.

Triethyl 2-(4-iodophenyl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1b

Prepared from 4-iodobenzyl bromide (Aldrich 515604) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a light yellow oil (yield 94%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.21 (t, 9H, J=6.75 Hz); 3.44 (s, 2H); 4.19 (q, 6H, J=6.75 Hz); 7.05 (d, 211, J=8 Hz); 7.56 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz).

Triethyl 2-(5-phenylisoxazol-3-yl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1c

Prepared from 3-chloromethyl-5-phenylisoxazole (Maybridge CC30524) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a light yellow oil (yield 73%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.27 (t, 9H, J=7.25 Hz); 3.59 (s, 2H); 4.28 (q, 6H, J=7.25 Hz); 6.53 (s, 1H); 7.44 (m, 3H); 7.74 (m, 2H).

Triethyl 2-(2-phenylthiazol-4-yl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1d

Prepared from 4-(chloromethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3-thiazole (Maybridge CC18324) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a light yellow oil (yield 58%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.25 (t, 9H, J=7.25 Hz); 3.70 (s, 2H); 4.24 (q, 6H, J=7.25 Hz); 7.11 (s, 1H); 7.43 (m, 3H); 7.9 (m, 2H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 13.95; 14.03; 34.49; 62.31; 62.54; 65.73; 116.16; 126.51; 128.94; 129.91; 133.75; 152.20; 164.07; 166.75; 166.63.

[M+H]⁺=406.1, [M+Na]⁺=428.1.

Triethyl 2-(5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-ypethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1e

Prepared from 3-chloromethyl-5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole (Maybridge, SEW02030) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a yellow oil (yield 55%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.21 (t, 9H, J=7.25 Hz); 3.72 (s, 2H); 4.29 (q, 6H, J=7.25 Hz); 7.5 (m, 3H); 8.02 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 13.94; 14.05; 29.59; 62.56; 62.75; 64.35; 124.33; 128.14; 129.13; 132.74; 164.08; 166.06; 167.77; 175.15.

[M+H]⁺=391.3; [M+Na]⁺=413.2.

Triethyl 2-(biphenyl-4-yl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1f

Prepared from 96% 4-(bromomethyl)-4-biphenyl (Acros 368950050) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a pale yellow oil (yield 91%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.22 (t, 9H, J=7.25 Hz); 3.56 (s, 2H); 4.28 (q, 6H, J=7.25 Hz); 7.29-7.58 (m, 9H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 13.99; 27.05; 38.46; 62.32; 66.89; 126.80; 127.15; 127.31; 128.86; 131.10; 134.80; 140.00; 141.00; 166.66.

Triethyl 2-(4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1g

Prepared from 2-[4-(chloromethyl)phenyl]pyrimidine (Maybridge, CC56224) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a pale yellow oil (yield≧95%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.21 (t, 9H, J=7.25 Hz); 3.59 (s, 2H); 4.19 (q, 6H, J=7.25 Hz); 7.17 (s, 1H, J=4.75 Hz); 7.40 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz); 8.32 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz); 8.78 (d, 2H, J=4.75 Hz).

Triethyl 2-(4-phenoxyphenyl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1 h

Prepared from 1-(bromomethyl)-4-phenoxybenzene (Maybridge CC53708) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a pale yellow oil (yield=36%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.23 (t, 9H, J=7.25 Hz); 3.49 (s, 2H); 4.20 (q, 6H, J=7.25 Hz); 6.88 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz); 6.97 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz); 7.08 (t, 1H, J=7.25 Hz); 7.29 (m, 4H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 13.99; 38.07; 62.27; 66.89; 118.36; 119.01; 123.34; 129.83; 130.40; 132.09; 156.44; 157.25; 166.62.

Triethyl 2-(4-(phenoxymethyl)phenyl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1i

Prepared from 1-(bromomethyl)-4-(phenoxymethyl)benzene (Maybridge CC63708) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a light yellow oil (yield 95%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.21 (t, 9H, J=5.75 Hz); 3.51 (s, 2H); 4.18 (q, 6H, J=5.75 Hz); 5.00 (s, 2H); 6.93 (m, 3H); 7.26 (m, 6H).

Triethyl 2-(4-(thiophen-2-yl)phenyl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1j

Prepared from 2[4-(bromomethyl)phenyl]thiophene (Maybridge, CC12008) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a yellow oil (yield≧95%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.22 (t, 911, J=7 Hz); 3.51 (s, 2H); 4.31 (q. 6H, J=7 Hz); 7.05 (m, 1H); 7.27 (m, 4H); 7.50 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz).

Triethyl 2-(4-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1k

Prepared from 1-[4-(bromomethyl)phenyl]-1H-pyrrole (Maybridge, CC25508) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a yellow oil (yield≧95%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.21 (t, 9H, J=7.25 Hz); 3.52 (s, 2H); 4.20 (q, 6H, J=7.25 Hz); 6.31 (m, 2H); 7.04 (m, 2H); 7.29 (m, 4H).

Triethyl 2-(4-(thiazol-2-yl)phenyl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1l

Prepared from 2[4-(chloromethyl)phenyl]-1,3-thiazole (Maybridge, CC40224) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a yellow oil (yield 95%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.20 (t, 9H, J=7.25 Hz); 3.54 (s, 2H); 4.19 (q, 6H, J=7.25 Hz); 7.33 (m. 4H); 7.83 (m, 2H).

Triethyl 2-(4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenyl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1m

Prepared from 3-[4-(chloromethyl)phenyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole (Maybridge, CC23824) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a yellow oil (yield≧95%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.20 (t, 9H, J=7.25 Hz); 3.51 (s, 2H); 3.93 (s, 31-1); 4.19 (q, 6H, J=7.25 Hz); 6.49 (d, 1H, J=2.25 Hz); 7.28 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz); 7.65 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz); 7.99 (s, 1H).

Triethyl 2-(4-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-4-yl)phenyl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1n

Prepared from 4[4-(bromomethyl)phenyl]-1,2,3-thiadiazole (Maybridge, CC16408) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a yellow oil (yield≧95%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.22 (t, 9H, J=7 Hz); 3.58 (s, 2H); 4.21 (q, 6H, J=7 Hz); 7.42 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz); 7.92 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz); 8.61 (s, 1H). Triethyl 2-(4-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl)ethane-1,1,1-tricarboxylate 1o

Prepared from 3-[4-(bromomethyl)phenyl]-5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole (Maybridge, CC34808) according to the general alkylation protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a yellow oil (yield 95%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.22 (t, 9H, J=7 Hz); 2.64 (s, 3H); 3.58 (s, 21-I); 4.20 (q, 6H, J=7 Hz); 7.39 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz); 7.93 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz).

STEP 2 Saponification Step

The triesters 1a-o (3.93 mmol) were solubilized in absolute ethanol (10 ml) and potassium hydroxide (23.58 mmol, 6 eq) was added.

The mixture in solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 h and then evaporated under reduced pressure.

The crude product was taken up in 1M hydrochloric acid HCl/EtOAc (1/1:10 ml/10 ml).

The aqueous phase was saturated with NaCl and extracted with EtOAc (2×10 ml).

The organic phases were combined, washed with a saturated NaCl solution (20 ml) and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄.

After evaporation, the crude solid was triturated from DCM (1 ml) and then filtered, to give the malonic derivatives 2a-o.

2-(Prop-2-ynyl)malonic acid 2a

Prepared from the triester 1a according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 86%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 2.33 (t, 1H, J=2.75 Hz); 2.69 (dt, 2H, J=2.75 Hz, J=5.25 Hz); 3.51 (t, 1H, J=5.25 Hz).

2-(4-Iodobenzyl)malonic acid 2b

Prepared from the triester 1b according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 78%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 3.10 (d, 2H, J=7.75 Hz); 3.61 (t, 1H, J=7.75 Hz), 7.04 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz); 7.61 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 35.20; 54.72; 92.45; 132.11; 138.60; 139.58; 172.33.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₀H₉INaO₄ (M+Na⁺)⁺, calculated 342.9443; measured 342.9430.

2-((5-Phenylisoxazol-3-yl)methyl)malonic acid 2c

Prepared from the triester 1c according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 53%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): 3.26 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz); 3.86 (t, 1H, J=7.5 Hz); 6.71 (s, 1H); 7.49 (m, 3H); 7.81 (m, 2H).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 26.51; 51.66; 100.83; 126.73; 128.58; 130.19; 131.44; 163.40; 171.28; 171.97.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₃H₁₂NO₅ (M+H⁺)⁺, calculated 262.0715; measured 262.0714.

2((2-Phenylthiazol-4-yl)methyl)malonic acid 2d

Prepared from the triester 1d according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 35%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 3.37 (d, 2H, J=7.75 Hz); 3.93 (t, 1H, J=7.75 Hz); 7.32 (s, 1H); 7.49 (m, 3H); 7.94 (m, 2H).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 31.17; 52.76; 116.79; 127.47; 127.62; 130.20; 131.51; 131.66; 134.03; 154.62; 172.25.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₃H₁₂NO₄S (M+H⁺)⁺, calculated 278.0496; measured 278.0488.

2-((5-Phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)methyl)malonic acid 2e

Prepared from the triester 1e according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 30%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 3.35 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz); 3.99 (t, 1H, J=7.5 Hz); 7.55-7.66 (m, 3H); 8.12 (m, 2H).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 26.54; 125.21; 128.99; 129.03; 130.41; 134.19; 170.21; 171.62; 177.05.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₂H₁₁N₂O₅ (M+H⁺)⁺, calculated 263.0668; measured 263.0661.

2-(Biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)malonic acid 2f

Prepared from the triester 1f according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 66%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 3.20 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz); 3.67 (t, 1H, J=8 Hz); 7.30-7.59 (m, 9H).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 35.50; 55.02; 127.85; 128.02; 128.20; 129.82; 130.38; 138.87; 140.81; 142.16; 172.50.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₆H₁₄NaO₄ (M+Na⁺)⁺, calculated 293.0790; measured 293.0797.

2-(4-(Pyrimidin-2-yl)benzyl)malonic acid 2g

Prepared from the triester 1g according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 59%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 3.22 (d, 2H, J=7.75 Hz); 3.69 (t, 1H, J=7.75 Hz); 7.33 (m, 3H); 8.28 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz); 8.79 (d, 2H, J=4.75 Hz).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 35.60; 54.70; 120.62; 129.30; 130.22; 137.09; 142.97; 158.68; 165.60; 172.40.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₄H₁₃N₂O₄ (M+H⁺)⁺, calculated 273.0875; measured 273.0881.

2-(4-Phenoxybenzyl)malonic acid 2h

Prepared from the triester 1 h according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 78%).

NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 3.14 (d, 21-I, J=7.75 Hz); 3.62 (t, 1H, J=7.75 Hz); 6.74 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz); 6.95 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz); 7.08 (t, 1H, J=7.25 Hz); 7.23 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz); 7.33 (m, 2H).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 35.05; 55.01; 119.65; 119.70; 124.23; 130.82; 131.32; 134.37; 134.70; 157.32; 158.80; 172.47.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₆H₁₄NaO₅ (M+Na⁺)⁺, calculated 309.0739; measured 309.0726.

2-(4-(Phenoxymethyl)benzyl)malonic acid 2i

Prepared from the triester 1i according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 73%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 3.16 (m, 2H); 3.63 (t, 1H, J=8 Hz); 5.03 (s 3H); 6.93 (m, 3H); 7.20-7.37 (m, 6H).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d4): δ 35.48; 70.60; 115.84; 121.87; 128.77; 129.99; 130.44; 137.06; 139.39; 160.18; 172.51.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₇H₁₆NaO₅ (M+Na⁺)⁺, calculated 323.0895; measured 323.0903.

2-(4-(Thiophen-2-yl)benzyl)malonic acid 2j

Prepared from the triester 1j according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 68%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 3.16 (d, 2H, J=7.75 Hz); 3.65 (t, 1H, J=7.75 Hz); 7.06 (m, 1H); 7.26 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz); 7.33 (m, 2H); 7.54 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): 34.06; 53.47; 122.55; 124.14; 125.34; 127.61; 129.06; 129.09; 132.76; 137.70; 143.80; 170.97.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₄H₁₃O₄S (M+H⁺)⁺, calculated 277.0535; measured 277.0538.

2-(4-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzyl)malonic acid 2k

Prepared from the triester 1k according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 84%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 3.17 (d, 211, J=8 Hz); 3.65 (t, 1H, J=8 Hz); 6.25 (m, 2H); 7.14 (m, 2H); 7.35 (m, 4H).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): 33.76; 53.56; 109.80; 109.84; 118.51; 119.53; 119.55; 129.70; 129.74; 135.53; 139.32; 170.94.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₄H₁₄NO₄ (M+H⁺)⁺, calculated 260.0923; measured 260.0908.

2-(4-(Thiazol-2-yl)benzyl)malonic acid 2l

Prepared from the triester 1l according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 84%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 3.19 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz); 3.68 (t, 1H, J=7.5 Hz); 7.35 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz); 7.54 (d, 1H, J=3.25 Hz); 7.82 (m, 3H).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): 34.17; 53.25; 119.20; 126.33; 129.35; 131.46; 141.08; 142.81; 168.66; 170.83.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₃H₁₂NO₄S (M+H⁺)⁺, calculated 278.0487; measured 278.0483.

2-(4-(1-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)benzyl)malonic acid 2m

Prepared from the triester 1m according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 94%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 3.16 (d, 2H, J=7.75 Hz); 3.64 (t, 1H, J=7.75 Hz); 3.88 (s, 3H); 6.55 (d, 1H, J=2.25 Hz); 7.26 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz); 7.54 (d, 1H, J=2.25 Hz); 7.65 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 34.17; 37.37; 53.53; 102.41; 125.26; 128.77; 128.80; 131.51; 132.07; 137.93; 151.37; 171.02.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₄H₁₅N₂O₄ (M+H⁺)⁺, calculated 275.1032; measured 275.1020.

2-(4-(1,2,3-Thiadiazol-4-yl)benzyl)malonic acid 2n

Prepared from the triester 1n according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 70%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 3.23 (d, 2H, J=7.75 Hz); 3.71 (t, 1H, J=7.75 Hz); 7.40 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz); 7.99 (d, 21-1, J=8.25 Hz); 9.14 (s, 1H).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 34.18; 53.39; 126.99; 129.23; 129.33; 131.04; 139.85; 162.43; 170.92.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₂H₁₁N₂O₄S (M+H⁺)⁺, calculated 279.0440; measured 279.0434.

2-(4-(5-Methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)benzyl)malonic acid 2o

Prepared from the triester 1o according to the saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a white solid (yield 89%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 2.64 (s, 3H); 3.22 (d, 2H, J=7.75 Hz); 3.69 (t, 1H, J=7.75 Hz); 7.40 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz); 7.94 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz).

¹³C NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 10.62; 34.26; 53.22; 124.92; 126.90; 129.16; 142.07; 167.82; 170.79; 177.28.

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₃H₁₃N₂O₅ (M+H⁺)⁺, calculated 277.0824; measured 277.0831.

Synthesis of the pseudopeptides 25-27, 28-29, 31, 32-37, 40-52 and 80-90 Synthesis of the pseudopeptides 25-27, 28-29, 31, 32-37, 40-50 and 80-88, on Synphase lantern having a linker of “Rink amide” type

A standard Fmoc strategy was used to construct the peptide sequence. The lanterns are preswollen in DCM for 15 minutes. The Fmoc protective group is deprotected under microwave irradiation (3×3 min, 60° C., 25 W) in the presence of piperidine at 20% in DMF (dimethylformamide). After washing of the lanterns (DMF/2×5 min then DCM/2×5 min) and preactivation of the amino acids at ambient temperature for 5 minutes (10 eq of Fmoc-AA-OH, 10 eq of Cl-HOBt and 10 eq of DIC in anhydrous DMF), the lanterns are immersed in the coupling solution and the reaction is carried out under microwave irradiation (10 min, 60° C., 25 W). This coupling is carried out a second time. This cycle of deprotection of the Fmoc group and incorporation of an amino acid is repeated a second time in order to synthesize the pseudodipeptedides. Finally, the precursor malonic blocks (2b-2o) are incorporated in the following way: preactivation of the malonic block in the presence of DIC (5 eq) and of Cl-HOBt (5 eq) in anhydrous DMF for 5 minutes at ambient temperature, then immersion of the lanterns in the coupling solution. The reaction is then carried out under microwave irradiation (10 min, 60° C., 25 W). Finally, the lanterns are washed (DMF/2×5 min then DCM/2×5 min).

Synthesis of the pseudopeptides 51-52 and 89-90 on Synphase lantern incorporating a linker of “hydroxymethylphenoxy” type

The Fmoc-3-aminophenylacetic (10 eq) or (S)-Fmoc-(3-carboxymethyl)piperidine (10 eq) unnatural amino acids are preactivated in the presence of DIC (5 eq) in a solution of anhydrous DCM/anhydrous DMF (9/1) for 10 minutes at ambient temperature. The lanterns, swollen in parallel in DCM, are then immersed in the coupling solution. DMAP (0.5 eq) is added and the reaction mixture is gently stirred for one hour at ambient temperature. The lanterns are then washed (DMF/2×5 min then DCM/2×5 min) and the natural amino acids and also the precursor malonic blocks are incorporated as described above.

1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction and access to the pseudopeptides 3-23 and 24

After construction of the peptide sequence and incorporation of the malonic block 2a as described previously, a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction is carried out on a solid support.

Access to the pseudopeptides 3-23:

The isoxazole unit is generated according to the method developed in the laboratory and described by Makaritis A. et al (Makaritis A. et al 2003 Chem. Eur. J. (9)). The precursor oxime (10 eq) is dissolved in anhydrous DCM and two drops of pyridine are added. NCS (10 eq) is then added at ambient temperature and, after stirring for 10 min, the reaction mixture is heated for one hour at 45° C. After cooling, the lanterns are immersed in the reaction mixture and triethylamine is added (20 eq). After gentle stirring for 12 hours at ambient temperature, this operation is then repeated with a freshly prepared reaction mixture. Finally, the lanterns are washed (DMF/2×5 min and DCM/2×5 min).

Access to the pseudopeptide 24:

The lanterns are immersed in a reaction mixture containing phenyl azide (10 eq), a solution of copper(I) iodide in THF (2 eq theoretical from a solution of which the concentration is estimated at 0.18 M) and triethylamine (50 eq). The cycloaddition reaction is then carried out under microwave irradiation in a sealed tube (80° C., 10 min, 300 W). Finally, the lanterns are washed (DMF/2×5 min and DCM/2×5 min).

Suzuki reaction or Sonogashira reaction on a solid support, access to the pseudopeptides 38-39, 53-79, 91-107 and 30

After construction of the peptide sequence and incorporation of the malonic block 2b as previously described, a coupling reaction with palladium on a solid support is carried out as follows.

Suzuki Reaction:

The lanterns are immersed in a reaction mixture containing a precursor of boronic acid or pinacolic ester type (10 eq, 0.2 M in pre-degassed DMF), potassium carbonate (10 eq, 0.16 M in MilliQ water) and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (1 eq, 0.08 M in pre-degassed DMF). The coupling reaction is then carried out under microwave irradiation in a sealed tube (80° C., 5 min, 300 W). Finally, the lanterns are washed (DMF/2×5 min and DCM/2×5 min).

Sonogashira Reaction:

The lanterns are immersed in a reaction mixture containing phenylacetylene (10 eq, 0.2 M in pre-degassed DMF), Pd (PPh₃)₄ (1 eq, 0.08 M in pre-degassed DMF) and copper iodide (1 eq) in a solution of DMF/DIEA (1/1). The coupling reaction is then carried out under microwave irradiation in a sealed tube (80° C., 30 min, 300 W). Finally, the lanterns are washed (DMF/2×5 min and DCM/2×5 min).

Cleavage from the Solid Support, Purification, Characterization, Packaging and Storage of the Pseudopeptides

Each pseudopeptide synthesized as described above is then cleaved from its support as follows. The lantern is immersed in a cleavage solution (TFA/TIS/H₂O: 95/2.5/2.5). After stirring for 1 hour at ambient temperature, the lantern is transferred into a new cleavage solution (TFA/DCM: 1/1) and stirred for thirty minutes at ambient temperature. The two cleavage solutions are then combined, and evaporated under reduced pressure, and the reaction crude is taken up in a solution A/B:1/1 with A: 0.1% of TFAin 90% of MilliQ water/10% of acetonitrile and B: 0.09% of TFA in 90% of acetonitrile/10% of MilliQ water. Each pseudopeptide is then purified by reverse-phase HPLC on a Kromasil AIT C18 semi-preparative column (250×20 mm, flow rate=3 ml.min⁻¹, UV detection at 230 nm) using a linear gradient as follows: from 0 to 40 min: from 0 to 100% of B, with A: 0.1% of TFA in 90% of MilliQ water/10% of acetonitrile, and B: 0.09% of TFA in 90% of acetonitrile/10% of MilliQ water. After freeze-drying, each pseudopeptide is taken up in a solution of absolute ethanol/MilliQ water: 1/1. The solution is neutralized (pH=7-8) with a 1M NaHCO₃ solution. The concentration of each solution is determined by analysis of the amino acid composition. All the solutions containing the pseudopeptides are stored in a refrigerator at +4° C. The analytical data for each pseudopeptide are summarized in table III hereinafter.

TABLE III Formula Name Analytical data  3

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(3-(3′- chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)butanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.40 min ε₂₇₂ = 31915 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ ¹H NMR (DMSO d₆): δ 1.75 (m, 2H); 1.89 (m, 2H); 2.23 (m, 4H); 2.62 (m, 2H); 3.03 (m, 2H); 4.21 (m, 2H); 6.86 (s, 1H); 7.11 (s, 1H); 7.32 (s, 1H); 7.51 (m, 2H); 7.72 (d, 1H, J = 7.25 Hz); 7.84 (m, 3H); 7.94 (d, 2H, J = 8.25 Hz); 8.00 (d, 1H, J = 7.75 Hz); 8.28 (d, 1H, J = 7.25 Hz); High resolution mass m/z for C₂₈H₃₀ClN₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 585.1752; measured 585.1733.  4

(S)-5-amino-4-(3-(3-(3′-chlorobiphenyl- 4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.69 min ε₂₇₂ = 18230 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₃H₂₃ClN₃O₅ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 456.1326; measured 456.1330.  5

(R)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(3-(3′- chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.46 min ε₂₇₂ = 29100 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₈H₃₀ClN₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 585.1752; measured 585.1746.  6

(S)-5-amino-4-((R)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(3-(3′- chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.47 min ε₂₇₂ = 29240 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₈H₃₀ClN₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 585.1752; measured 585.1746.  7

(R)-5-amino-4-((R)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(3-(3′- chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.49 min ε₂₇₂ = 29834 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₈H₃₀ClN₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 585.1752; measured 585.1741.  8

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-carboxy-1- oxopropan-2-ylamino)-4-(3-(3-(3′- chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.47 min ε₂₇₂ = 32941 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₇H₂₈ClN₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 571.195; measured 571.1594.  9

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-3-carboxy-2-(3-(3-(3′- chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)propanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.49 min ε₂₇₂ = 30769 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₇H₂₈ClN₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 571.1595; measured 571.1598.  10

(S)-4-amino-3-((S)-3-carboxy-2-(3-(3-(3′- chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)propanamido)-4- oxobutanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.51 min ε₂₇₂ = 31507 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₆H₂₆ClN₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 557.1438; measured 557.1453.  11

(S)-6-((S)-1-amino-4-carboxy-1- oxobutan-2-ylamino)- 5-(3-(3-(3′-chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)-6-oxohexanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.53 min ε₂₇₂ = 30827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₂ClN₄O₈₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 599.1909; measured 599.1897.  12

(S)-6-amino-5-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(3-(3′- chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)butanamido)-6- oxohexanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.51 min ε₂₇₂ = 31655 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₂ClN₄O₈₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 599.1909; measured 599.1905.  13

(S)-6-amino-5-((S)-5-carboxy-2-(3-(3-(3′- chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)pentanamido)- 6-oxohexanoique Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.57 min ε₂₇₂ = 31915 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₀H₃₄ClN₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 613.2065; measured 613.2077.  14

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2- (3-(3-phenylisoxazol- 5-yl)propanamido)butanamido)- 5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 2.89 min ε₂₄₁ = 11950 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₂H₂₇N₄O₈₈ (M + H⁺)⁺ calculated 475.1828; measured 475.1823.  15

(S)-5-amino-5-oxo-4-(3-(3-phenylisoxazol- 5-yl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.26 min ε₂₄₁ = 5996 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₁₇H₂₀N₃O₅ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 346.1403; measured 346.1395.  16

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-2-(3-(3-(biphenyl- 4-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)propanamido)- 4-carboxybutanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.82 min ε₂₇₃ = 35600 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₈H₃₁N₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 551.2142; measured 551.2135.  17

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-2-(3-(3- (biphenyl-4-yl)isoxazl-5- yl)propanamido)-3- carboxypropanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.84 min ε₂₇₃ = 28375 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₇H₂₉N₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 537.1985; measured 537.1996.  18

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-carboxy- 1-oxopropan-2-ylamino)- 4-(3-(3-(biphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol- 5-yl)propanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.85 min ε₂₇₃ = 25370 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₇H₂₉N₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 537.1985; measured 537.1995.  19

(S)-4-amino-3-((S)-2-(3-(3- (biphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)-3- carboxypropanamido)-4- oxobutanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.85 min ε₂₇₃ = 28120 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₆H₂₇N₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 523.1828; measured 523.1810.  20

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-5- amino-2-(3-(3-(biphenyl-4- yl)isoxazol-5-yl)propanamido)- 5-oxopentanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.75 min ε₂₇₃ = 35825 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₈H₃₂N₅O₇ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 550.2302, measured 550.2319.  21

(S)-4-(3-(3-(biphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol-5- yl)propanamido)-5-((S)-1,5- diamino-1,5-dioxopentan-2-ylamino)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.77 min ε₂₇₃ = 34482 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₈H₃₂N₅O₇ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 550.2302; measured 550.2299.  22

(S)-2-(3-(3-(biphenyl-4-yl)isoxazol- 5-yl)propanamido)-N¹-((S)-1,5- diamino-1,5-dioxopentan-2- yl)pentanediamide Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.39 min ε₂₇₃ = 23214 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₈H₃₃N₆O₆ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 549.2462; measured 549.2454.  23

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-1-oxopropan- 2-ylamino)-4-(3-(3-(biphenyl-4- yl)isoxazol-5-yl)propanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.00 min ε₂₇₃ = 34078 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₆H₂₉N₄O₆ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 493.2087; measured 493.2093.  24

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy- 2-(3-(1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl) propanamido)butanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 2.23 min ε₂₄₈ = 4827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₁H₂₇N₆O₇ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 475.1941; measured 475.1953.  25

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy- 2-(3-(5-phenylisoxazol-3-yl)propanamido) butanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.27 min ε₂₆₃ = 23750 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₂H₂₇N₄O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 475.1829; measured 475.1843.  26

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2- (3-(5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol- 3-yl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.32 min ε₂₅₃ = 17391 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₁H₂₆N₅O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 476.1782; measured 476.1794.  27

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy- 2-(3-(2-phenylthiazol-4-yl)propanamido) butanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.32 min ε₂₉₄ = 13992 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₂H₂₇N₄O₇S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 491.1601; measured 491.1613.  28

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy- 2-(3-(4-phenoxyphenyl)propanamido) butanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.73 min ε₂₇₂ = 1593 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₅H₃₀N₃O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 500.2033; measured 500.2024.  29

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy- 2-(3-(4-(phenoxymethyl)phenyl) propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.87 min ε₂₇₄ = 3584 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₆H₃₁N₃NaO₈ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 536.2009; measured 536.2000.  30

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4- (phenylethynyl)phenyl)propanamido) butanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.93 min ε₂₈₄ = 42452 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ ε₃₀₂ = 37736 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₇H₃₀N₃O₇ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 508.2084; measured 508.2076.  31

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy- 2-(3-(4-iodophenyl)propanamido) butanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.69 min ε₂₅₉ = 370 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₁₉H₂₅IN₃O₇ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 534.0737; measured 534.0734.  32

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4- (pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl) propanamido)butanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 2.40 min ε₂₆₆ = 20275 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₃H₂₈N₅O₇ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 486.1989; measured 486.1982.  33

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4- (1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenyl) propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) 2.60 min ε₂₅₇ = 24934 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₃H₃₀N₅O₇ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 488.2145; measured 488.2143.  34

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2- (3-(4-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3- yl)phenyl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 2.77 min ε₂₄₆ = 15544 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₂H₂₈N₅O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 490.1938; measured 490.1922.  35

(S)-4-(3-(4-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-4- yl)phenyl)propanamido)-5-((S)-1- amino-4-carboxy-1-oxobutan-2- ylamino)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.27 min ε₂₄₅ = 10729 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₁H₂₆N₅O₇S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 492.1553; measured 492.1551.  36

(S)-4-(3-(4-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl) propanamido)-5-((S)-1-amino-4- carboxy-1-oxobutan-2-ylamino)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.69 min ε₂₅₃ = 14677 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₃H₂₈N₄NaO₇ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 495.1856; measured 495.1860.  37

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4-(thiazol- 2-yl)phenyl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 2.69 min ε₂₈₈ = 27972 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₂H₂₇N₄O₇S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 491.1601; measured 491.1585.  38

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4-(thiophen- 3-yl)phenyl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.97 min ε₂₆₂ = 14495 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₃H₂₈N₃O₇S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 490.1648; measured 490.1636.  39

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-2-(3-(4-(benzo[d]thiazol-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)-4-carboxybutanamido)- 5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.15 min ε₂₇₇ = 28729 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ ESI m/z (M + H⁺)⁺ = 540.1  40

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-2-(3-(biphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)-4-carboxybutanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.26 min ε₂₅₃ = 22540 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ ¹H NMR (DMSO d₆): δ 1.71 (m, 2H); 1.87 (m, 2H); 2.22 (m, 4H); 2.51 (m, 2H); 2.85 (m, 2H); 4.21 (m, 2H); 7.12 (s, 1H); 7.33 (m, 4H); 7.45 (t, 2H, J = 7.25 Hz) 7.56 (d, 2H, J = 7.25 Hz); 7.63 (d, 2H, J = 7.25 Hz) 7.96 (d, 1H, J = 7.75 Hz); 8.13 (d, 1H, J = 7.5 Hz). High resolution mass m/z for C₂₅H₃₀N₃O₇ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 484.2084; measured 483.2084.  42

(S)-4-(3-(biphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5-((S)-1,5- diamino-1,5-dioxopentan-2-ylamino)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.10 min ε₂₅₃ = 25357 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₅H₃₁N₄O₆ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 483.2244; measured 483.2246.  43

(S)-2-(3-(biphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-N¹-((S)- 1,5-diamino-1,5-dioxopentan-2- yl)pentanediamide Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.83 min ε₂₅₃ = 45205 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₅H₃₂N₅O₅ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 482.2403; measured 482.2397.  44

(S)-4-(3-(biphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5-((S)-1,6- diamino-1-oxohexan-2-ylamino)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.69 min ε₂₅₃ = 22540 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₆H₃₅N₄O₅ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 483.2607; measured 483.2598  45

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-carboxy-1-oxopropan-2- ylamino)-4-(3-(biphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.07 min ε₂₅₃ = 22540 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₄H₂₈N₃O₇ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 470.1927; measured 470.1928  46

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1- oxopropan-2-ylamino)-4-(3-(biphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) 4.58 min ε₂₅₃ = 22540 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₂N₃O₆ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 518.2281; measured 518.2281  47

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-ylamino)-4-(3- (biphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.39 min ε₂₅₃ = 22540 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₃H₂₈N₃O₅ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 426.2028; measured 426.2025  48

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1- oxopropan-2-ylamino)-4-(3-(biphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.64 min ε₂₅₃ = 22540 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₆H₃₀N₅O₅ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 492.2247; measured 492.2259  49

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2- ylamino)-4-(3-(biphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.02 min ε₂₅₃ = 22540 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₃H₂₈N₃O₆ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 442.1978; measured 442.1975  50

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2- ylamino)-4-(3-(biphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.75 min ε₂₅₃ = 22540 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₆H₃₄N₃O₅ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 468.2498; measured 468.2491  51

(S)-4-(3-(biphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5-((S)-3- (carboxymethyl)piperidin-1-yl)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.16 min ε₂₅₃ = 35271 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₇H₃₃N₂O₆ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 481.2339; measured 481.2338  52

(S)-4-(3-(biphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5-(3- (carboxymethyl)phenylamino)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.51 min ε₂₅₀ = 18309 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₈H₂₈N₂NaO₆ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 511.1845; measured 511.1855  53

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-2-(3-(3′-aminobiphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)-4-carboxybutanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 1.93 min ε₂₆₀ = 9580 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₅H₃₀N₄NaO₇ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 521.2012; measured 521.2019  54

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(3′- hydroxybiphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)butanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.24 min ε₂₅₄ = 13970 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₅H₃₀N₃O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 500.2033; measured 500.2031  55

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(3′- nitrobiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.20 min ε₂₅₄ = 20158 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₅H₂₉N₄O₉ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 529.1935; measured 529.1954  56

4′-(3-((S)-1-((S)-1-amino-4-carboxy-1-oxobutan- 2-ylamino)-4-carboxy-1-oxobutan-2-ylamino)-3- oxopropyl)biphenyl-3-carboxylic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.29 min ε₂₅₇ = 6082 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₆H₃₀N₃O₉ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 528.1982; measured 528.1991  57

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(3′- chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)butanamido)- 5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.84 min ε₂₆₀ = 18195 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₅H₂₉ClN₃O₇ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 540.1513; measured 540.1482  58

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(3′,5′- dichlorobiphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)butanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.48 min ε₂₆₀ = 21808 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₅H₂₈Cl₂N₃O₇ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 552.1304; measured 552.1320  59

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(3′- methoxybiphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)butanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) 4.37 min ε₂₅₄ = 12000 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₆H₃₂N₃O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 514.2189; measured 514.2177  60

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(3′- (hydroxymethyl)biphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)butanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.21 min ε₂₅₄ = 21560 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₆H₃₂N₃O₈ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 514.2189; measured 514.2164  61

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4′- phenylbiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)butanamido)- 5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.70 min ε₂₈₀ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ ¹H NMR (DMSO d₆): δ 1.74 (m, 2H); 1.90 (m, 2H); 2.21 (m, 4H); 2.51 (m, 2H); 2.83 (m, 2H); 4.19 (m, 2H); 7.11 (s, 1H); 7.31 (m, 3H); 7.38 (d, 1H, J = 7.25 Hz); 7.48 (t, 2H, J = 7.25 Hz); 7.64 (d, 2H, J = 8 Hz); 7.72 (m, 6H); 7.95 (d, 1H, J = 7.75 Hz); 8.14 (d, 1H, J = 7.5 Hz). High resolution mass m/z for C₃₁H₃₃N₃NaO₇ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 582.2216; measured 582.2210  62

(S)-5-((S)-1,5-diamino-1,5-dioxopentan-2- ylamino)-4-(3-(4′-phenylbiphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.40 min ε₂₈₀ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₁H₃₄N₄NaO₆ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 581.2376; measured 581.2388  63

(S)-5-((S)-1,6-diamino-1-oxohexan-2-ylamino)-4- (3-(4′-phenylbiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.17 min ε₂₅₄ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₂H₃₉N₄O₅ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 559.2920; measured 559.5921  64

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-carboxy-1-oxopropan-2- ylamino)-4-(3-(4′-phenylbiphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.72 min ε₂₈₀ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₀H₃₁N₃NaO₇ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 568.2060; measured 568.2058  65

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1- oxopropan-2-ylamino)-4-(3-(4′-phenylbiphenyl- 4-yl)propanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 6.07 min ε₂₈₀ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₅H₃₅N₃NaO₆ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 616.2423; measured 616.2426  66

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-ylamino)-4-(3- (4′-phenylbiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.99 min ε₂₈₀ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₁N₃NaO₅ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 524.2161; measured 524.2156  67

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1- oxopropan-2-ylamino)-4-(3-(4′-phenylbiphenyl- 4-yl)propanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.21 min ε₂₅₄ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₂H₃₄N₅O₅ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 568.2560; measured 568.2579  68

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2- ylamino)-4-(3-(4′-phenylbiphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.61 min ε₂₈₀ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₁N₃NaO₆ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 540.2111; measured 540.2100  69

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2- ylamino)-4-(3-(4′-phenylbiphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 6.69 min ε₂₈₀ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₂H₃₇N₃NaO₅ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 566.2631; measured 566.2610  70

(S)-5-((S)-3-(carboxymethyl)piperidin-1-yl)-4-(3- (4′-phenylbiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 6.63 min ε₂₈₀ = 56364 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₃H₃₆N₂NaO₆ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 579.2471; measured 579.2453  71

(S)-5-(3-(carboxymethyl)phenylamino)-4-(3-(4′- phenylbiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 6.85 min ε₂₈₀ = 53398 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₃H₃₆N₂NaO₆ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 587.2158; measured 587.2138  72

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-5-amino-2-(3-(4′- phenylbiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)-5- oxopentanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.51 min ε₂₈₀ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₁H₃₄N₄NaO₆ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 581.2376; measured 581.2386  73

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-6-amino-2-(3-(4′- phenylbiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)hexanamido)- 5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.14 min ε₂₅₄ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₂H₃₉N₄O₅ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 559.2920; measured 559.2944  74

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-3-carboxy-2-(3-(4′- phenylbiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)propanamido)- 5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.73 min ε₂₈₀ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₀H₃₁N₃NaO₇ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 568.2060; measured 568.2068  75

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(3-(4′- phenylbiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)propanamido)- 5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 6.17 min ε₂₈₀ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₅H₃₅N₃NaO₆ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 616.2423; measured 616.2435  76

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-2-(3-(4′-phenylbiphenyl-4- yl)propanamido)propanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.96 min ε₂₈₀ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₁N₃NaO₅ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 524.2161; measured 524.2178  77

(S)-4-((S)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-(3-(4′- phenylbiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)propanamido)- 5-amino-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.25 min ε₂₅₄ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₂H₃₄N₅O₅ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 568.2560; measured 568.2554  78

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-3-hydroxy-2-(3-(4′- phenylbiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)propanamido)- 5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.81 min ε₂₈₀ = 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₁N₃NaO₆ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 540.2111; measured 540.2080  79

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-methyl-2-(3-(4′- phenylbiphenyl-4-yl)propanamido)pentanamido)- 5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 6.74 min ε₂₈₀ 44827 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₂H₃₇N₃NaO₅ (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 566.2631; measured 566.2617  80

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4-(thiophen- 2-yl)phenyl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.10 min ε₂₈₅ = 22000 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ ¹H NMR (DMSO d₆): δ 1.75 (m, 2H); 1.91 (m, 2H); 2.22 (m 4H); 2.51 (m, 2H); 2.82 (m, 2H); 4.20 (m, 2H); 7.11 (m, 2H); 7.25 (d, 2H, J = 8 Hz); 7.32 (s, 1H); 7.46 (d, 1H, J = 3.5 Hz); 7.51 (d, 1H, J = 5.25 Hz); 7.56 (d, 2H, J = 8 Hz); 7.95 (d, 1H, J = 8 Hz); 8.14 (d, 1H, J = 7.5 Hz). High resolution mass m/z for C₂₃H₂₇N₃NaO₇S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 512.1467; measured 512.1458  81

(S)-5-((S)-1,5-diamino-1,5-dioxopentan-2- ylamino)-5-oxo-4-(3-(4-(thiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) 3.85 min ε₂₈₅ 20000 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₃H₂₉N₄O₆S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 489.1808; measured 489.1795  82

(S)-5-((S)-1,6-diamino-1-oxohexan-2-ylamino)-5- oxo-4-(3-(4-(thiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.10 min ε₂₈₅ = 18487 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₄H₃₃N₄O₅S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 489.2172; measured 489.2190  83

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-carboxy-1-oxopropan-2- ylamino)-5-oxo-4-(3-(4-(thiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.55 min ε₂₈₅ = 18156 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₂H₂₅N₃NaO₇S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 489.1311; measured 498.1314  84

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1- oxopropan-2-ylamino)-5-oxo-4-(3-(4-(thiophen- 2-yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.52 min ε₂₈₅ = 22000 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₇H₂₉N₃NaO₆S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 546.1674; measured 546.1661  85

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-ylamino)-5- oxo-4-(3-(4-(thiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.18 min ε₂₈₅ = 18627 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₁H₂₆N₃O₅S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 432.1593; measured 432.1580  86

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1- oxopropan-2-ylamino)-5-oxo-4-(3-(4-(thiophen- 2-yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.69 min ε₂₈₅ = 19433 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₄H₂₈N₅O₅S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 498.1811; measured 498.1807  87

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2- ylamino)-5-oxo-4-(3-(4-(thiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 3.94 min ε₂₈₅ = 15886 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₁H₂₆N₃O₆S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 448.1542; measured 448.1542  88

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2- ylamino)-5-oxo-4-(3-(4-(thiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.13 min ε₂₈₅ = 20833 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₄H₃₁N₃NaO₅S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 496.1882; measured 496.1878  89

(S)-5-((S)-3-(carboxymethyl)piperidin-1-yl)-5- oxo-4-(3-(4-(thiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.97 min ε₂₈₈ = 28274 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₅H₃₁N₂O₆S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 487.1903; measured 487.1894  90

(S)-5-(3-(carboxymethyl)phenylamino)-5-oxo-4- (3-(4-(thiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.30 min ε₂₄₆ = 16666 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ ε₂₈₂ = 25000 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₆H₂₆N₂NaO₆S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 517.1409; measured 517.1390  91

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4-(5- methylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.61 min ε₂₉₂ = 21893 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₄H₂₉N₃NaO₇S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 526.1624; measured 526.1620  92

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4-(5- phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.72 min ε₃₃₈ = 30000 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ ¹H NMR (DMSO d₆): δ 1.76 (m, 2H); 1.91 (m, 2H); 2.22 (m, 4H); 2.51 (m, 2H); 2.82 (m, 2H); 4.21 (m, 2H); 7.11 (s, 1H); 7.30 (m, 4H); 7.44 (t, 2H, J = 7.25 Hz); 7.49 (d, 1H, J = 4 Hz); 7.54 (d, 1H, J = 3.75 Hz); 7.60 (d, 2H, J = 8 Hz); 7.70 (d, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz); 7.96 (d, 1H, J = 7.75 Hz); 8.16 (d, 1H, J = 7.25 Hz). High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₁N₃NaO₇S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 588.1780; measured 588.1776  93

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-2-(3-(4-(5-(benzo[d]thiazol-2- yl)thiophen-2-yl)phenyl)propanamido)-4- carboxybutanamido)-5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.97 min ε₃₂₀ = 46154 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₀H₃₁N₄O₇S₂ (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 623.1634; measured 623.1616  94

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4-(4- methylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.58 min ε₂₉₀ = 16369 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₄H₃₀N₃O₇S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 504.1804; measured 504.1782  95

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4-(4- phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Acentis Express: t_(R)= 5.61 min ε₂₅₉ = 34583 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ ¹H NMR (DMSO d₆): δ 1.76 (m, 2H); 1.91 (m, 2H); 2.22 (m, 4H); 2.51 (m, 2H); 2.84 (m, 2H); 4.21 (m, 2H) 7.11 (s, 1H); 7.30 (m, 4H), 7.44 (t, 2H, J = 7 Hz); 7.65 (d, 2H, J = 8.25 Hz); 7.79 (d, 2H, J = 7.25 Hz); 7.85 (s, 1H); 7.96 (m, 2H); 8.16 (d, 1H, J = 7.5 Hz). High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₂N₃O₇S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 566.1961; measured 566.1953  96

(S)-5-amino-4-((R)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4-(4- phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.64 min ε₂₅₉ = 36111 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₁N₃NaO₇S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 588.1780; measured 588.1770  97

(R)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4-(4- phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.63 min ε₂₅₉ = 31176 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₁N₃NaO₇S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 588.1780; measured 588.1802  98

(S)-4-amino-5-((S)-5-amino-5-oxo-2-(3-(4-(4- phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.35 min ε₂₅₉ = 32857 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₂N₄NaO₆S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 587.1940; measured 587.1938  99

(S)-5-((S)-1,5-diamino-1,5-dioxopentan-2- ylamino)-5-oxo-4-(3-(4-(4-phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.38 min ε₂₅₉ = 28729 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₉H₃₂N₄NaO₆S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 587.1940; measured 587.1964 100

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-3-carboxy-2-(3-(4-(4- phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)propanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.64 min ε₂₅₉ = 35652 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₈H₂₉N₃NaO₇S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 574.1624; measured 574.1617 101

(S)-5-((S)-1-amino-3-carboxy-1-oxopropan-2- ylamino)-5-oxo-4-(3-(4-(4-phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.63 min ε₂₅₉ = 30797 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₈H₂₉N₃NaO₇S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 574.1624; measured 574.1645 102

(S)-6-((S)-1-amino-4-carboxy-1-oxobutan-2- ylamino)-6-oxo-5-(3-(4-(4-phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)hexanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.69 min ε₂₅₉ = 45833 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₀H₃₃N₃NaO₇S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 602.1937; measured 602.1938 103

(S)-6-amino-5-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4-(4- phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)butanamido)-6- oxohexanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.67 min ε₂₅₉ = 32482 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₀H₃₃N₃NaO₇S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 602.1937; measured 602.1938 104

(S)-4-((S)-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)-2-(3-(4-(4- phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)propanamido)-5-amino- 5-oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.17 min ε₂₅₉ = 32335 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₀H₃₂N₅O₅S (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 574.2124; measured 574.2108 105

(S)-5-amino-5-oxo-4-(3-(4-(4-phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.93 min ε₂₅₉ = 36526 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₄H₂₄N₂NaO₄S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 459.1354; measured 459.1346 106

(S)-5-(3-(carboxymethyl)phenylamino)-5-oxo-4- (3-(4-(4-phenylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)pentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 6.68 min ε₂₅₉ = 4790 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₂H₃₀N₂NaO₆S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 593.1722; measured 593.1748 107

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-(3-(4-(3- methylthiophen-2- yl)phenyl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 4.53 min ε₂₇₁ = 1472 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₂₄H₂₉N₃NaO₇S (M + Na⁺)⁺: calculated 526.1624; measured 526.1627  95 bis

(S)-5-amino-4-((S)-4-carboxy-2-((R)-3-carboxy- 2-(4-(4-phenylthiophen-2- yl)benzyl)propanamido)butanamido)-5- oxopentanoic acid Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.55 min ε₂₇₂ = 18230 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ High resolution mass m/z for C₃₁H₃₄N₃O₉S, (M + H⁺)⁺: calculated 624.2010; measured 624.1999.

Synthesis of the compound (95 bis) carrying a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH at R₄

The compound (95 bis) carrying a carboxymethyl group at R₄ is synthesized according to the same protocol as the compounds (3) to (107) described above, only the nature of the malonic block incorporated on the solid support having been modified. Indeed, it is in this case a question of incorporating a bifunctionalized malonic block, the latter being obtained in four steps according to the following general synthesis scheme:

R having the same meaning as previously.

The alkylation step 1 is carried out according to the procedure described previously for the synthesis of the monofunctionalized malonic blocks.

Step A: Partial Saponification Step

The triester 1 (3.93 mmol) was solubilized in tetrahydrofuran (10 ml), and sodium ethanolate (4.71 mmol, 1.2 eq) was added dropwise at ambient temperature. The completion of the reaction was verified by thin layer chromatography (TLC) with an eluent mixture (cyclohexane CHX/ethyl acetate EtOAc: 9/1).

The reaction mixture was then poured into a solution of ethyl acetate EtOAc/1M HCl water (1/1:10 ml/10 ml). The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate EtOAc (2×10 ml). The organic phases were combined and then washed with a saturated solution of sodium chloride NaCl (20 ml) and, finally, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄). The solvent was then concentrated under vacuum and the crude product was purified by flash chromatography (CHX/EtOAc), to give the diesters 1A.

Diethyl 2-(4-iodobenzyl)malonate 1Ab

Prepared from the triester 1b according to the partial saponification protocol, to give the title compound in the form of a colorless oil (yield 82%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.21 (t, 6H, J=6.75 Hz); 3.15 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz); 3.59 (t, 1H, J=8 Hz) 4.16 (q, 4H, J=6.75 Hz); 6.96 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz); 7.59 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 14.16; 34.25; 53.69; 61.76; 92.25; 131.07; 137.68; 137.70; 168.76.

Step B: Alkylation Step

The diester 1B (3.93 mmol) was solubilized in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) under an inert atmosphere. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0° C. and sodium hydride (4.32 mmol, 1.1 eq) was added. After stirring for 10 minutes at 0° C., tert-butyl 2-bromoactetate (5.89 mmol, 1.5 eq) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature. The completion of the reaction was verified by thin layer chromatography (TLC) with an eluent mixture (cyclohexane CHX/ethyl acetate EtOAc: 9/1). The reaction mixture was taken up and then poured into water/EtOAc (1/1: ml/10 ml). The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate EtOAc (2×10 ml). The organic phases were combined, washed with a saturated NaCl solution (20 ml) and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. After evaporation, the crude solid was triturated from DCM (1 ml) and then filtered, to give the derivatives 1B.

1-tert-butyl 2,2-diethyl-3-(4-iodophenyl)propane-1,2,2-tricarboxylate 1Bb

Prepared from the diester 1Ab according to the alkylation protocol (step B), to give the title compound in the form of a colorless oil (yield 95%).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.21 (t, 6H, J=6.75 Hz); 1.46 (s, 9H), 2.75 (s, 2H); 3.31 (s, 2H) 4.19 (q, 4H, J=6.75 Hz); 6.85 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz); 7.58 (d, 2H, J=8.25 Hz).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 13.97; 27.98; 37.62; 37.81, 56.42; 61.70; 81.39; 92.70; 132.09; 135.60; 137.41; 169.63; 169.76.

2-(2-(tert-butoxy)-2-oxoethyl)-2-(4-iodobenzyl)malonic acid 2b bis

Prepared from the compound 1Bb according to the saponification protocol (step 2), to give the title compound in the form of an off-white solid (yield 65%).

¹H NMR (MeOH d₄): δ 1.38 (s, 9H), 2.94 (s, 2H); 3.12 (s, 2H). 6.85 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz); 7.56 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz).

High resolution mass m/z for C₁₆H₂₀INO₆ (M+H⁺)⁺, calculated 435.0299; measured 435.0310.

The saponification step 2 is carried out according to the procedure described previously for the synthesis of the monofunctionalized malonic blocks.

The bifunctionalized malonic blocks thus synthesized are then incorporated on a solid support, and the pseudopeptides obtained are modified via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions or couplings with palladium (Suzuki or Sonogashira reaction) as previously described.

The analytical data regarding the compound (95 bis) appear in table III above.

The compound (95 bis) was then evaluated on human MMPs, and compared with the compound (95). The results appear in the following table IV:

TABLE IV MMP- MMP- MMP- MMP- MMP- MMP- MMP- MMP- MMP- MMP- 1h 2h 3h 7h 8h 9h 10h 12h 13h 14h

>10000 >1000 >1000 >1000  410 >10000 872  1.92 684 >2500 Selectivity  5208  520  520  520  213  5200 454 1  356  1300 factor/MMP12

 >1000  401  579 >1000  520  >1000  80 0.3 198  118 Selectivity  3333  1340  1930  3333 1730  3333 270 1  660  395 factor/MMP12

It is observed that, when R₄ is a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, the affinity of the resulting compound (formula 95 bis) with respect to MMP-12, compared with the compound of formula 95, is improved by a factor of 6 (from 1.92 nM to 0.3 nM).

As regards the selectivity factors for the other members of the MMP family, they were either maintained, or improved. Only the selectivity with respect to MMP-14 is slightly reduced compared with the compound (95).

Evaluation of the Pseudopeptides on the MMPs:

The inhibition tests and the evaluation of the inhibition constants (Ki) on the various MMPs were carried out as described by Devel et al. (Devel et al. 2006 J. Biol. Chem. (7))

The results obtained are reported in tables I, II and IV.

Evaluation of the Stability in the Blood and of the Plasma Concentration of the Compounds of Formula (1), in Mice:

Experiments on the compounds of formulae (40) and (91) made it possible to evaluate the stability of these compounds in the blood, and also their plasma concentration in mice after an infusion over a period of 30 minutes.

Stability Test:

After 24 hours in mouse blood, and after LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) analysis and confirmation of the identity by fragmentation by MS/MS mass spectrometry, 50 fmol (solution at 5 nM for an initial solution at 10 nM at t=0) of the compound (40) are detected in intact form. No by-product resulting from the compound (40) was detected. The loss of 50% of the starting material can be attributed to a phenomenon of nonspecific association of the compound with the wall of the eppendorf. It should be noted that this 50% loss of the compound was also observed after 24 hours for a solution at 10 nM in PBS buffer or in a solution at 1 μM of PBS (Bovine Serum Albumin).

Determination of the Plasma Concentration:

After infusion in five mice of a solution of the compound (91) at 10 mg/kg (i.e. 0.2 mg/50 l, i.e. at 8 mM in a PBS buffer solution) over a period of 30 minutes, and sampling of blood after 5 minutes, the blood is extracted and an average plasma concentration for the compound (91) of 1 μM was determined by means of an inhibition test on MMP-8. The strict identity of the compound (91) was, moreover, confirmed by LC-MS analysis and MS/MS fragmentation.

Synthesis of the Compounds of Formula (2) Carrying a TAG Label

The labeled compounds of formula (2) can be synthesized according to the following scheme 3:

The compounds of general formula (1) can be labeled in the C-terminal position according to the various synthesis routes represented above in scheme 3. After construction of the peptide sequence on a solid support, the malonic block is incorporated, and then the ring A is formed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition or functionalized by coupling with palladium, as previously described (Suziki reaction or Sonogashira reaction). An orthogonal deprotection without cleavage of the solid support can then be carried out. The amine thus freed can: a) either react with an activated ester (route A), or b) be pre-modified and converted into a new chemical function allowing the introduction of the TAG according to a different route (route B).

The various synthesis routes and imaging techniques used according to the nature of the TAG label are summarized in table V below:

TABLE V Structure of the TAG Synthesis route Imaging technique References

Route B PET (11)

Route A SPECT (12)

Route A MRI (13)

Route A NIRF (14)

Route A NIRF (14) Peptide label Route A SPECT WO 2010/076654 X_(a)X₁X₂X₃X₄X₅X_(b)X_(c) or the retro-inverso form thereof

A compound of formula (2) carrying a fluorescent TAG label of Alexa Fluor® type (formula (108)) was synthesized according to scheme 3 above.

After construction of the peptide sequence, introduction of the malonic block 2b onto a solid support and coupling with palladium under the conditions described above, the primary amine is deprotected in the presence of a solution of HOBt in DCM/TFE:1/1 (0.6 M, 2×30 min). The resin is then washed twice with DMF (for 5 minutes) and twice with DCM (for 5 minutes). A solution of Alexa Fluor® 488 carboxylic acid activated in succinimidyl ester form (1.1 eq, Invitrogen, ref: A20100) in anhydrous DMF is added, and the reaction mixture is then stirred over night at ambient temperature in the dark. The resin is then washed twice with DMF (for 5 minutes) and twice with DCM (for 5 minutes). The pseudopeptide is thus cleaved from its support and then purified as previously described. The analytical data regarding the compound of formula (108) are summarized in table VI below.

TABLE VI 108

2-(6-amino-3- iminio-4,5- disulfonato-3H- xanthen-9-yl)- 4-(((5S,8S)- 5,8-bis(2- carboxyethyl)- 3,6,9-trioxo- 1-(4-(4- phenyl- thiophen- 2-yl)phenyl)- 14,17,20- trioxa- 4,7,10- triazatricosan- 23- yl)carbamoyl) benzoate Ascentis Express: t_(R) = 5.93 min ε₅₀₀= 808510 M⁻¹ · cm⁻¹ Mass m/z for C₆₀H₆₂N₆O₂₀S₃ ²⁻ (M + H⁺)⁺ = 1285.4

The compound (108) was then evaluated on human MMPs, and compared with the compound (95). The results appear in the following table VII:

TABLE VII MMP- MMP- MMP- MMP- MMP- 1h 2h 3h 7h 8h

>10000 >1000  >1000  >1000  410 Selectivity  5208  520   520   520  213 factor/MMP12

>10000 >2500 >10000 >10000 >2500 Selectivity   670  170   670   670  170 factor/MMP12 MMP- MMP- MMP- MMP- MMP- 9h 10h 12h 13h 14h

>10000 872  1.92  684  >2500 Selectivity  5200 454 1   356  1300 factor/MMP12

 >5000 833 15  >1000 >10000 Selectivity   333  55 1    66   670 factor/MMP12

The introduction of a spacer and of a fluorescent group does not cause very much modification of the affinity of the compound of formula (108) with respect to MMP-12, compared with the compound of formula (95) (Ki=15 nM vs Ki=1.92 nM). Furthermore, the compound of formula (108) proves to be quite selective with respect to MMP-12.

LITERATURE REFERENCES

-   (1) Brinckerhoff C E, Matrisian L M. Matrix metalloproteinases: a     tail of a frog that became a prince. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2002     March; 3(3):207-14. -   (2) Page-McCaw A, Ewald A J, Werb Z. Matrix metalloproteinases and     the regulation of tissue remodelling. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2007     March; 8(3):221-33. -   (3) Egeblad M, Werb Z. New functions for the matrix     metalloproteinases in cancer progression. Nat Rev Cancer. 2002     March; 2(3):161-74. -   (4) Fingleton B. Matrix metalloproteinases as valid clinical     targets.Fingleton B. Curr Pharm Des. 2007; 13(3):333-46. -   (5) Hu J, Van den Steen P E, Sang Q X, Opdenakker G. Matrix     metalloproteinase inhibitors as therapy for inflammatory and     vascular diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2007 June; 6(6):480-98. -   (6) Overall C M, López-Otin C. Strategies for MMP inhibition in     cancer: innovations for the post-trial era. Nat Rev Cancer. 2002     September; 2(9):657-72. -   (7) Devel L, Rogakos V, David A, Makaritis A, Beau F, Cuniasse P,     Yiotakis A, Dive V. Development of selective inhibitors and     substrate of matrix metalloproteinase-12. J Biol. Chem. 2006 Apr.     21; 281(16):11152-60. -   (8) Engel C K, Pirard B, Schimanski S, Kirsch R, Habermann J,     Klingler O, Schlotte V, Weithmann K U, Wendt K U. Structural basis     for the highly selective inhibition of MMP-13. Chem. Biol. 2005     February; 12(2):181-9. -   (9) Makaritis A, Georgiadis D, Dive V, Yiotakis A.     Diastereoselective solution and multipin-based combinatorial array     synthesis of a novel class of potent phosphinic metalloprotease     inhibitors. Chemistry. 2003 May 9; 9(9):2079-94. -   (10) F. A. Jaffer, P. Libby, R. Weissleder, Optical and     multimodality molecular imaging: insights into atherosclerosis,     Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 29 2009 1017-1024. -   (11) M. Nahrendorf, E. Keliher, B. Marinelli, P. Waterman, P. F.     Feruglio, L. Fexon, M. Pivovarov, F. K. Swirski, M. J. Pittet, C.     Vinegoni, R. Weissleder, Hybrid PET-optical imaging using targeted     probes, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 107 2010 7910-7915. -   (12) H. Su, F. G. Spinale, L. W. Dobrucki, J. Song, J. Hua, S.     Sweterlitsch, D. P. Dione, P. Cavaliere, C. Chow, B. N.     Bourke, X. Y. Hu, M. Azure, P. Yalamanchili, R. Liu, E. H.     Cheesman, S. Robinson, D. S. Edwards, A. J. Sinusas, Noninvasive     targeted imaging of matrix metalloproteinase activation in a murine     model of postinfarction remodeling, Circulation. 112 2005 3157-3167. -   (13) B. Jastrzebska, R. Lebel, H. Therriault, J. O. McIntyre, E.     Escher, B. Guerin, B. Paquette, W. A. Neugebauer, M. Lepage, New     enzyme-activated solubility-switchable contrast agent for magnetic     resonance imaging: from synthesis to in vivo imaging, J. Med. Chem.     52 2009 1576-1581. -   (14) A. Faust, B. Waschkau, J. Waldeck, C. Holtke, H. J.     Breyholz, S. Wagner, K. Kopka, O, Schober, W. Heindel, M.     Schafers, C. Bremer, Synthesis and evaluation of a novel hydroxamate     based fluorescent photoprobe for imaging of matrix     metalloproteinases, Bioconjug. Chem. 20 2009 904-912. 

1. A compound of formula (1):

wherein: n is 1 or 2, when n is 1, W and X each independently are O, N or C, when n is 2, W and X are C, R₁ is selected from the group consisting of an iodine atom, phenyl, biphenyl, 3′-chlorobiphenyl, phenoxy, phenoxymethyl, phenylethynyl, pyrimidine, 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole, 5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1H-pyrrole, thiazole, thiophene, 3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole, 3-aminophenyl, 3-hydroxyphenyl, 3-nitrophenyl, 3-carboxyphenyl, 3′-chlorophenyl, 3,5-dichlorophenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 3-hydroxymethylphenyl, and a thiophene ring substituted in at least one position selected from 2, 3, 4, and 5 with a group selected independently for each position from methyl, phenyl, 3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole, and a hydrogen atom, wherein: m is an integer of 1 to 4 , when m is 4, R₂ is an amino group, when m is 3, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group, when m is 2, R₂ is a carboxamide group or a carboxylic acid group, when m is 1, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group, a 4-hydroxyphenyl group, a 1H-imidazole group, a hydroxyl group, an isopropyl group, or a methyl group, R₃ is an amino group; a carboxymethylpiperidine group; a carboxymethyl-3-aminophenyl group; or a residue selected from the group consisting of a glutamate residue of L or D configuration, a homoglutamate residue, an aspartate residue, a glutamine residue, an alanine residue, a lysine residue, a tyrosine residue, a histidine residue, a serine residue, and a leucine residue, optionally wherein a terminal carboxylic group of the residue is a carboxamide group —C(═O)NH₂, and R₃ is bonded via an amino group, and R₄ is H or a carboxymethyl group —CH₂COOH, or a diastereoisomer or enantiomer of formula (1).
 2. The compound of claim 1, having formula (1-A):

wherein: R₁ is phenyl, biphenyl or 3′-chlorobiphenyl, m is an integer of 1 to 3, when m is 1 or 3, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group, or a diastereoisomer or enantiomer of formula (1-A).
 3. The compound of claim 1, having a formula selected from formulae (3) to (23):


4. The compound of claim 1, having formula (1-B):

wherein: R₁ is phenyl, biphenyl or 3′-chlorobiphenyl, m is an integer of 1 to 3 inclusive, or a diastereoisomer or enantiomer of formula (1-B).
 5. The compound as of claim 4, having formula (25):


6. The compound of claim 1, having formula (1-C):

wherein: R₁ is selected from the group consisting of an iodine atom, phenyl, biphenyl, 3′-chlorobiphenyl, phenoxy, phenoxymethyl, phenylethynyl, pyrimidine, 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole, 5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1H-pyrrole, thiazole, thiophene and 3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole, m is 2, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group, or a diastereoisomer or enantiomer of formula (1-C).
 7. The compound of claim 6, having a formula selected from formulae (28) to (39):


8. The compound of claim 1, having formula (1-D):

wherein: R₁ is: an unsubstituted phenyl group (R₁′═H and R₁″═H), or a phenyl group monosubstituted in position 3 with an amino group (R₁′═NH₂, R₁″═H) or with a hydroxyl group (R₁′═OH, R₁″═H) or with a nitro group (R₁′═NO₂, R₁″═H) or with a carboxyl group (R₁′═COOH, R₁″═H) or with a chlorine atom (R₁′═C₁, R₁″═H) or with a methoxy group (R₁′═OMe, R₁″═H) or with a hydroxymethyl group (R₁′═CH₂OH, R₁″═H), or a phenyl group disubstituted in positions 3 and 5 with a chlorine atom (R₁′═C₁ and R₁″=Cl), m is 2, R₂ is a carboxylic acid group, or a diastereoisomer of formula (1-D).
 9. The compound of claim 8, having a formula selected from formulae (40) and (42) to (60):


10. The compound of claim 1, having formula (1-E):

wherein: R₁ is a biphenyl group, m is 1, 2, 3 or 4, or a diastereoisomer or enantiomer of formula (1-E).
 11. The compound of claim 10, having a formula selected from formulae (61) to (79):


12. The compound of claim 1, having formula (1-F):

wherein: R₁ is an unsubstituted thiophene ring (R₁′″═H), or a thiophene ring monosubstituted either in position 2 with a group chosen from a methyl (R₁′″═CH₃) or phenyl (R₁′″=Ph) or 3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole group, or in position 3 with a group chosen from a methyl (R₁′″═CH₃) or phenyl (R₁′″=Ph) group, or in position 4 with a methyl group (R₁′″═CH₃), m=1, 2 or 3, and R₂ is a carboxylic acid group or an imidazole group when m=1, or a carboxylic acid group or a carboxamide group when m=2, or a carboxylic acid group when m=3, or a diastereoisomer or enantiomer of formula (1-F).
 13. The compound of claim 12, having a formula selected from formulae (80) to (107):


14. The compound of claim 12, having formula (1-F1):

wherein: R₁′″ is in position 2 or in position 3 of the thiophene ring and is a methyl (R₁′″═CH₃) or phenyl (R₁′″=Ph) group, or a diastereoisomer or enantiomer of formula (1-F1).
 15. The compound of claim 14, having formula (91), (92), (95), (97), (99), (101), (103), (105), (106) or (95 bis):


16. The compound of claim 14, having formula (1-F2):


17. The compound of claim 16, having formula (95), (97), (99), (101), (103), (105), (106) or (95 bis):


18. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₄ is H.
 19. The compound of claim 1, suitable for use as a medicament.
 20. The compound of claim 1, suitable for use as an extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor.
 21. The compound of claim 15, suitable for use as an extracellular matrix metalloproteinase 12, MMP-12, inhibitor.
 22. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 23. The compound of claim 1, suitable for use as a medicament for treating cancer, inflammatory diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, rhumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, or a ruptured aneurysm.
 24. A compound of formula (2):

wherein: L is a spacer arm selected from a C₁-C₁₂ alkyl chain and a glycol ether wherein a carbon-based chain has 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and TAG is a label, R₃ being bonded to the spacer arm L via a terminal carboxamide group —C(═O)NH₂.
 25. The compound of claim 24, suitable for use as a contrast agent for detecting an extracellular matrix metalloproteinase, or for detecting macrophage elastase or MMP-12. 